By Adeyinka Adeniran
Rose Wale Petroleum Station, Iwo Road, the designated convergence venue for the protesters has been calm.
The protesters had started arriving the venue as early as 8:30 before leading a procession away from the place around 11AM. Early morning shower in different parts of the city slowed down the gathering.
The protesters numbered about 200 youths, who were very peaceful in their conduct.
The protesters, a coalition of various interest groups are staging the protest under the aegis “Oyo State Coalition Against Hardship”.
They said the protest is against hardship in the land and not against any individual.
Although they carried placards and sing solidarity songs, the protesters insisted that they did not embark on the protest to forment any trouble but call the attention of the government to the hardship and difficulties across the country.
They later marched to Iwo road before going to Agodi Gate from where they marched to Mokola Ibadan amidst heavy security operatives with numerous patrol vans, to provide security and protection.
As at the time of this report, the protesters are at Mokola where they would disperse after addressing the people.
Before the protesters arrived, the Rose Wale Petroleum station was heavily secured by combined security operatives of the Nigerian Police.
Four security patrol vans fully loaded with armed officers are strategically located within the premises of the petrol station.
All the officers at Rose Wale Petroleum Station, Iwo Road, Ibadan were seen wearing a red armband around their left arm.
They were scattered in different locations within and outside the station.
However, business activities is ongoing around the area, as a company selling mobile phones is blasting music through its large loudspeaker with many people moving around freely.
Commercial drivers are also beginning to commence movement of the passengers. The roads were initially deserted but an increased vehicles are been noticed on the road.
