As the planned nationwide protest commenced on Thursday, commercial activities within Abeokuta metropolis was at their low ebb in the early part of the day.
A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who moved round the metropolis, reports that the Lalubu area, which is the commercial centre of the city, was a ghost of its former self.
NAN reports that commercial banks and shopping malls as well as some eateries were under lock and key.
Activities at the popular Panseke and Omida markets were also low, as only few buyers and sellers were seen there.
A visit to the Government Secretariat at Oke-Mosan equally showed that only 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 few commercial vehicles were seen at the motor park, while commuters were seen trekking long distances in various parts of the metropolis.
Meanwhile, heavy presence of a combined team of the army and police personnel was noticeable at some flash points across Abeokuta, particularly the MKO Abiola International Stadium, one of the four designated areas that the court had restricted the protest to.
NAN reports that an 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 a.m. and 5 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 State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN).
NAN, however, reports that the protesters did not show up at the MKO Abiola International Stadium as at 11a.m.
Addressing newsmen at the stadium in Abeokuta, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Abiodun Alamutu, said there was no indication of protest at the stadium.
Alamutu also noted that no violence had been recorded in any part of the state, adding that his men were on 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.”
NAN checks also reveal that the situation was similar at Sango-Ota where the usually busy Toll Gate and Joju areas recorded scanty commercial activities, but with heavy presence of security personnel.
NAN also reports that 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 earlier been restricted to.
It was, however, gathered that the protest took place at Ibadan garage in Ijebu-Ode where about 20 protesters gathered.
The Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ogun, David Onelabi, who confirmed the situation to newsmen in Abeokuta, described the gathering as peaceful.
