Youths in Ogun State have largely opted out of the #FearlessOctober1 protests taking place nationwide on Tuesday.
Observations by our correspondent in the region indicated that daily activities and movement remained uninterrupted in areas such as Mowe, Interchange, Okemosan, Panseke, and Kuto.
A significant presence of security personnel was noted throughout these locations, including members of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, the Ogun State Community Social Orientation and Safety Corps, and officials from the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency.
In addition, a High Court in Abeokuta issued a restriction on the protest locations for the #FearlessInOctober groups. The court designated four specific venues: 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.
This ruling was made on Monday by Justice Tajudeen Okunsokan following an application from the State Attorney-General concerning case number AB/667/2024.
The court also mandated that the Commissioner of Police enforce this ruling for a duration of seven days as stipulated under Order 39 of the Ogun State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2014.
During visits to MKO Abiola Stadium and the Skating Ground in Abeokuta, no signs of protest activity were observed. When approached for comment, a young man named Jamiu expressed scepticisms about the effectiveness of protests, stating, “How has protest helped the nation? What have previous protests achieved?”
Another youth from Kuto, Ayo Adeyemi, acknowledged the ongoing economic difficulties but questioned whether protesting would lead to any meaningful change. “It is true that things are difficult but would protest solve anything? joining the protest is a waste of time and an effort that puts you at risk,” he remarked.
