As the 10-day nationwide protest commences today, protesters have started to converge at the Freedom Park in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State.
There was a visible presence of security personnel from the Nigeria Police and Nigeria Army at strategic locations within the state capital.
The locations manned by the security agencies include Olaiya Junction, Awosuru Junction, Okefia and Lameco roundabouts, Orita Gbeemu, Gbodofon, Ajegunle and Ayetoro, and Stadium Roundabout.
At the Freedom Park point of convergence, organisers of the protest were seen educating fellow protesters on the modalities of the protest.
We also learnt from a civil servant who preferred anonymity that the state secretariat was not under lock.
According to him: “I will be in the office in an hour. We were not directed to stay off work so I will have to be in the office.
“As I am talking to you, I am in town. I have passed through Olaiya Junction down to Ogo-Oluwa and there is vehicular movement.”
Also, some markets, like Akindeko, were scantily open for business with few buyers patronising them. Street businesses were also opened.
The protests did not disrupt vehicular movement, as major roads in the state capital were busy.
It had earlier reported that the Osun State Commissioner of Police Mohammed Umar Abba had stated that security arrangements had been placed to ensure no breakdown of law and order during the protest.
Umar Abba who revealed that security agencies in the state will embark on a show of force to demonstrate that they were on top of the situation added that the exercise would be held simultaneously in all police area commands within the state.
His words: “The Operation Show of Force which comprises personnel drawn from all the security agencies in the state is to inform members of the public about the readiness of the security agencies in the state ahead of the protest.
“The Operation Show of Force is being coordinated by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, DCP Abayomi Shogunle. The operations cut across all the Area Commands in the state.”
The Osun police boss also assured the general public that the command would not leave any stone unturned to ensure the proposed protest was peaceful.
He also warned that individuals who went against the rules of engagement would be decisively dealt with within the ambit of the extant law.
