The Ogun State security operatives were on Tuesday, October 1, left idle in spite of preparations as youths in the state shunned the October 1 #FearlessinOctober protest.
There were no signs of agrieved residents as everyone went about their various activities, with several shops open for business.
The organizers of the #FearlessInOctober protest had declared that the Police, Department of State Services, and the military would not stop them from embarking on the demonstration.
A high court sitting in Abeokuta had on Monday restricted the protesters to the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, Gateway International Stadium in Sagamu, Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode, and Ansar-Ud-Deen Comprehensive High School in Ota.
On the day of the actual protest, the designated venues were deserted by protesters as heavily armed security operatives blocked the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta. Without activities by members of the public, particularly the youths, they were left idle, sitting on kerbs and chatting.
The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, while giving an update on the planned protest said there is calm in the state.
Alamutu disclosed that a meeting was held on Sunday with critical stakeholders towards ensuring that no protest is held in the state.
“Presently there is palpable calm in the state. We held a general stakeholders meeting where we consulted with all critical stakeholders in the state to exhort them to speak with their wards to shun any violent demonstrations. I think it’s working for now there has not been sign of any violence or protest in the state but we are still on ground monitoring.
“Like we said protest is a fundamental right what we have objection against is a situation where some people will hijack a peaceful protest to cause unnecessary crisis in the state that will generate to violence. Meanwhile there is still calm and hope they will sustain it.”
Similarly, the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, (NSCDC), David Ojelabi, noted that although no protest is held in the state, the security agencies will remain on ground incase of unforeseen occurrences.
He stated that if everyone remained remained prayerful, hardworking and law-abiding, The country would progress steadily.
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