The police commissioner in Edo, Funsho Adegboye, has commended participants in the nationwide protest for their peaceful conduct.

Mr Adegboye, who addressed the protesters at the Kings Square on Thursday in Benin, said he was impressed by how protesters peacefully conducted themselves and urged them to sustain it.

The police chief distributed water and snacks to the protesters in appreciation of their peaceful conduct.

Organisers of the nationwide protest had announced that it would be held from August 1 to 10.

Under a coalition of civil society organisations, the protesters occupied King Square (Ring Road) in Benin for the protest.

The protesters arrived at the place, the only place designated by the police, as early as 7:30 a.m.

Members of the coalition erected a podium and musical instruments to express their grievances.

Police operatives were also at the venue to monitor and provide the necessary security protection.

A combined team of the Nigerian Army, police, and an armed squad from the Nigeria Correctional Centre were at the Correctional Centre along Sapele road.

Officials of the State Security Service were at the corporate headquarters of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria.

However, the adjourning roads around the Ring Road were blocked due to spillover from the road, causing disruption to vehicular movements. The roads blocked include the  Uselu-Ugbowo-Oluku section of the Benin-Sagamu expressway, Benin-Agbor-Asaba road, and Benin-Sapele road, amongst others.

Commercial activities were grounded as business owners stayed off their posts.

Similarly, commercial banks and other public places such as malls and filling stations were all under lock and key in the city.

A visit to the Edo State Civil Service Secretariat and the State House of Assembly showed that the public institutions were also closed.

At the parliament’s complex,  armoured personnel vehicles and detachments of police officers were stationed at the entrance and its environs. 

(NAN)