CITIZENS COMPASS– The ongoing protests over scarcity of Naira notes was intensified on Friday, as some hoodlums hijacked the protests in some parts of Lagos State.
The violence which started as early as 6.30am was intensified in Ojota, Mile 12 and spread to Majidun, Ogolonto, Sabo/Ikorodu, Garage before the intervention of law enforcement operatives.
Baiyeku, Itamaga, Imota and Agbowa areas of Ikorodu were not left out as violence broke out in the areas.
At about 7am, our Correspondent who was in Mile 12, along Ikorodu Road, said hoodlums made bonfires on Mile 12 bridge, dispossessing unsuspecting road users, traders and vandalising vehicles.
This caused panic among in the axis as road users fled the axis while traders abandoned their wares.
The violence spread to Ojota and it’s environs but law enforcement operatives razed to the occasion and brought it under control.
Reports from Agege said Oke-koto and its environs were violently attacked by the hoodlums as bonfires were made to disrupt human and vehicular activities.
It was learnt that some banks in Epe were vandalised while the impact of the protests spread to Imota and Agbowa areas of Ikorodu.
At Sabo/Ikorodu, protesters were seen removing postals belonging to political parties and scared people away from the area.
The popular Sabo market was deserted as traders scampered for safety.
Reports said the reason behind the protests was due to scarcity of Naira notes.
The hoodlums stormed major roads in Mile-12, Ketu and Ojota areas, along Ikorodu Road, and Iyana-Ipaja.
Our Correspondent saw people scampering for safety as there were shootings around Mile 12.
Road users from Ikorodu were seen hurriedly turning back from Mile 12 axis following the shootings.
A trader at Mile 12, Taiwo Abokode, who narrated his experience to Citizens Compass said, “I was parking my car under Mile 12 bridge and the area was calm as at then.
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Suddenly, some hoodlums came with sticks, broken bottles and dangerous weapons and made bonfires on Mile 12 bridge.
“This caused pandemonium for some minutes as people including motorists scampered for safety because the news travelled far and people called their loved ones to avoid the axis.
“Traffic officials hurriedly abandoned their duty posts and fled for their lives. Some of them were seen removing their uniform for fear of the unknown.
“However, law enforcement arrived the scene to disperse the rioters and restore normalcy. ” He said.
It was learnt that the impact of the protests was felt at Iyana Iba and some parts of Lagos Island.
Motorists and residents who were on their way to different places of work hurriedly turned back in panic as the rioters went berserk with bonfires set across the road.
The incidents left many commuters to be stranded as commercial drivers boycott the affected areas for hours.
Police react
Confirming the unrest, spokesman, Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin said normalcy has returned to some of the affected areas.
He was responding to a question raised by a tweet requesting him to confirm the rumour of the unrest earlier in the day.
Hundeyin tweeted, “It is true. Our men are there. Reinforcement units have been deployed. Stay safe out there as we closely monitor and manage the situation,” the Lagos police spokesman said in confirming the unrest that rocked Mile 12 area.
As at 8am, a team of policemen and soldiers were spotted at Mile 12 and other areas.
Pix 1: Oke-Koto in Agege
