As the planned nationwide protest commenced on Thursday, commercial activities within the Abeokuta metropolis were low.

The Lalubu area, which is the city’s commercial centre, was a ghost of its former self.

Commercial banks, shopping malls, and some eateries were under lock and key.

Activities at the popular Panseke and Omida markets were also low, as only a few buyers and sellers were seen there.

A visit to the government Secretariat at Oke-Mosan showed that only a few civil servants turned up for work, while the government buses provided to convey workers to the office were parked inside the secretariat.

The popular Kuto area was equally devoid of its usual hustle and bustle, as only a few commercial vehicles were seen at the motor park, while commuters were seen trekking long distances in various parts of the metropolis.

Meanwhile, the heavy presence of a combined army and police personnel team was noticeable at some flash points across Abeokuta, particularly the MKO Abiola International Stadium, one of the four designated areas for the court that had restricted the protest.

The Ogun High Court had, on Wednesday, ordered the sponsors of the nationwide protests to limit their activities to four locations in the state.

The court also restricted the time of the protests to between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

The four locations are MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta; Ansar-ud-Deen Comprehensive High School, Ota; Remo Divisional High School, Sagamu; and Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode.

The order followed an application filed by the attorney general and commissioner for justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade.

The protesters did not show up at the MKO Abiola International Stadium as of 11:00 a.m.

Addressing journalists at the stadium in Abeokuta, the police commissioner in Ogun, Abiodun Alamutu, said there was no indication of protest.

Mr Alamutu also noted that no violence had been recorded in any part of the state, adding that his men were on the ground to forestall activities of miscreants who might want to foment trouble.

He assured that the protesters would be protected anytime they show up at the stadium, provided they maintained peace. The police commissioner advised residents of the state to go about their daily activities, saying that “everything is under control.”

The situation was similar at Sango-Ota, where the usually busy tollgate and Joju areas recorded scanty commercial activities but with a heavy presence of security personnel.

The protesters failed to turn up at the Ansar-ud-Deen Comprehensive High School, Ota, Remo Divisional High School, Sagamu and Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, where they had been restricted earlier.

It was, however, gathered that the protest took place at the Ibadan garage in Ijebu-Ode, where about 20 protesters gathered.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps commandant in Ogun, David Onelabi, who confirmed the situation to journalists in Abeokuta, described the gathering as peaceful.

(NAN)