.Fubara says mercenaries infiltrate Rivers to forment trouble
.Urhobo Christians say protest may affect economy
.Residents troop to markets in Oyo
.security beefs up in Plateau, Osun, Ondo, Kwara, Ebonyi
The Ogun State High Court on Wednesday ordered the sponsors of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests to limit their activities to four locations in the State.
The Court also restricted the time frame of the protests to between 8 am and 5 pm.
Granting an application moved by Oluwasina Ogungbade, Ogun State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Justice Ogunfowora of the State High Court directed that all protests under the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria slogan or any other slogan from 1 August 2024 to 10 August 2024 must be limited in place and time.
The judge prohibited the protesters from protesting anywhere in the State except at the MKO Stadium, Abeokuta; Ansar-ud-Deen Comprehensive High School, Ota; Remo Divisional High School, Sagamu; and Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode.
Read also: Photos: August 1 protesters converge under Ikeja bridge in Lagos
In Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, there was panic buying of food stuff, petrol, cooking gas as well as some other things by people within the State.
As of 5pm on Wednesday, people were seen rushing home from different areas to avoid been caught in the web.
The security agencies were also seen in various locations, especially in black spots within the Ibadan metropolis in preparation of the protest.
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State on Wednesday held a youth summit to dissuade Ebonyi youths from participating in the August 1st #endbadgovernace protest.
The governor, who noted that the Federal Government was working to fix the Country, said his administration was also working to improve the lives of the citizens, urging the youths to refrain from protest.
The Plateau State Government expressed strong opposition to the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1st.
According to Samuel Jateau, Secretary to the State Government, while addressing in youths of the State in Jos, said Plateau State had suffered enough crises and should not be allowed to go into another one in the name of protest.
The Urhobo Christian Ministers Association International, has appealed to Nigerian youths to suspend the planned protests.
The Christian body said the planned protest may further crumble the nation’s economy and aggravate hunger in the land.
Addressing journalists after a visit to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State at Government House, Asaba, Solomon Gbakara, Archibishop and President of the Association, said the appeal became necessary following assurances that President Bola Tinubu was addressing the challenges that led to the rising hunger in the land.
Read also: Court restricts Abuja protesters to Stadium
Security agencies conduct joint show of force in Osun ahead of planned nationwide protests
In Osun, a combined team of security operatives conducted a joint show of force in Osogbo, Osun State Capital on Wednesday.
BusinessDay reports that the show of force operations included the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Army and Department of State Security Service.
Security agencies in Ondo State on Wednesday called on people of the State not to reenact the EndSARS and Kenya experiences by allowing peace to reign in the country.
Abayomi Oladipo, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, while addressing journalists in Akure alongside other security agencies said all the security agencies were fully on ground to ensure peace in the State.
The Kwara State Police Command declared that comprehensive security measures had been implemented to ensure the safety and security of all residents and participants in the planned peaceful protest.
Consequently, a combined forces from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Military, Department of State Security Service, Nigeria Civil Defense Corps, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, and Federal Road Safety Corps had been mobilised to ensure water-tight security across the State.
Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, appealed to residents of the State to embrace the prevailing peaceful co-existence and shun all acts capable of breaking down laws and order in the state.
He noted that only dialogue can foster harmonious working relationship among stakeholders especially between the government and interest group adding that, “Kwara should desist from the planned nationwide protest in the interest of peace, security and prosperity of the State.”
But, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State said there were security reports indicating that some mercenaries and thugs had been hired from outside, in the guise of protest, to destroy valuable infrastructure and assets in the State.
Read also: Youths’ discontent spreads as FG fails to halt protest
The governor noted that the ploy was being made in spite of the fact that Rivers residents had already resolved not to participate in the planned 10 days of nationwide protest scheduled to begin on August 1, 2024.
Governor Fubara made the statement while addressing representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), stakeholders of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Rivers State ethnic and youth groups, and Port Harcourt Motor Spare Parts Dealers Union, Ikoku Branch, among others, in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
The governor insisted that several public and clandestine activities of the self-styled detractors over the last months were clear indications that Rivers State does have unrepentant enemies who will do everything possible within their means to destabilize the State.
He said: “You are already aware of the political situation of our State where people are looking for every avenue to destabilise this State. We don’t need to give them that opportunity to carry out that act.
“And that is the reason why I, representing the government, and the service commanders, have always been in touch with you all, pleading that we should shelve this protest. And even if you have to do it, we should do it in a way and manner that it will not get out of control.
“I have information that you don’t have. I am aware of the people that are being hired to come into this State to cause mayhem. If anything happens here, we are going to be the greatest losers. Our property will be destroyed. Our economy will be destroyed. And when they finish, they will go back to their states.
“Look at what has happened in Kenya. It will take them another 20 years to rebuild those things that are being destroyed. In Rivers State, we are not that financially buoyant to now start retrogressing where we have already passed. Instead of maintaining and increasing what we have, we will be thinking of rebuilding, if destroyed. Let us not allow it happen.”
