By Ogundeko Usman, SAGAMU
CITIZENS COMPASS– TWO groups of protesters under different missions, reportedly went on rampage on Monday, setting ablaze some banks in Sagamu area of Ogun State.
The protests reportedly broke out in the morning as the protesters announced their mission to the public by making bonfires on major roads.
According to eye witnesses’ accounts, one of the groups were political thugs in Sagamu while the other were bank customers who began protests over scarcity of Naira notes.
Both groups were said to have came across each other and began to riot as residents, road users, workers and transporters ran helter skelter.
It was learnt that some of the banks were set ablaze while some were vandalised as lootings took place unhindered.
Some of the banks’ property were said to be carted away by the rioters during the riots.
Among the affected banks were Stanbic IBTC Bank, Sterling bank, Access bank, Guarantee Trust (GTB) Bank, Polaris Bank and United Bank for Africa (UBA) all along Sabo Road, ijokun, Isalẹ Oko and Akarigbo Road.
Protests with different missions
Our Correspondent who was at the scenes of the incident reports that the loyalists to the political stalwarts commenced their protests by tearing campaign posters of some political candidates for the upcoming 2023 elections and this was done very close to some banks.
Similarlly, the other group have besieged the banks to withdraw some cash but when it dawned on them that cash was unavailable, they threw caution into the wind and protests began which snowballed into riots and attracted suspected hoodlums including the political thugs.
It was learnt that before the arrival of security operatives, the riots spread to Sagamu Local Government Secretariat and the office of an electricity distribution company were vandalised.
One of the eye witnesses, Madam Ajilo Emmanuela said, “I criss- crossed three banks to withdraw some cash without luck and the protests occurred in the process.
“As I speak, I have lost my ATM cards while scampering for safety. Honestly, I am short of words.”
An eye witness, Garba Abdullah said, “I saw the political thugs removing some posters but I thought it’s one of those things.
“I was hawking my wares when suddenly, the atmosphere changed and people ran for their dear lives.
Some innocent persons lost personal effects to the protests. Before this, some bank security guards sued for calm but were overpowered.
“At the other end, some of the political thugs were seen receiving phone calls from persons perceived to be their superiors while posters were torn.
“Both groups later met and the protests heightened.”
Citizens Compass gathered that many were injured.in the process but the number could not be ascertained at press time.
Recall that some days back, Abeokuta, Sango, Ifo and Mowe-Ibafo all in Ogun State, were heated up by protests.
On Sunday, February 19, 2023, some Buhari Must Go protesters hit the streets of Sango with caskets to show anger.
Police arrest 30
Meanwhile, the new Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Frank Mbah immediately swing into action by visiting the affected areas.
The Command said it has arrested over 30 suspects in connection with the Monday’s riots in Sagamu.
Spokesperson of the Command, Abimbola Oyeyemi said normalcy has returned during the CP’s visit to the troubled areas.
“Normalcy has been restored in greater parts of Sagamu now. CP Frank Mba is personally leading police teams and some military men to tackle the situation.
As at the time of filing this report, Sagamu was calm though many shops and transporters have called it a day.
