Protesters on Wednesday converged on major roads in Akure the Ondo State capital to protest the fuel and naira crisis in the country.
The protesters mainly youths defied the ” no protest ” order earlier issued by the Ondo State Police Command.
On the night of Tuesday the 7th of February , a flyer giving details about the protest went viral on the social media.
A detachment of police officers and other security operatives were however stationed nearby observing the protest.
The youths who displayed placards with various inscriptions demonstrated with D.J and sound system providing them with music.
They asked government to find solution to the lingering fuel scarcity and cash crunch to save the populace from continued hardships.
One of them , Femi Odeh told newsmen that they would “try as much as possible to be peaceful in driving home our point and that the protest would continue for the next two days”.
Preempting the eventuality of the protest becoming violent , banks in the metropolis shut down their services to customers while only few ATMs points functioned as many ATM around the bank premises were closed.
A bank customer who spoke with newsmen , Alhaja Fola Azimi said she could not carry out the scheduled transaction she had with her bank saying it had caused a setback for her business.
Also , Commercial banks in Akoko area of the state hurriedly shut their operations over rumours of attack.
Customers who had been at the banks for transactions were reportedly told to move out of the banks premises.
A bank customer , Mr Oye Ajileye who said he went back disappointed however applauded the supreme court judgement on the deadline for the old naira notes and enjoined the apex bank to obey the court order.
Meanwhile , the state capital and other towns have remained calm as residents went about their businesses.
In the meantime , the ruling All Progressive Congress Party in Ondo State has suspended its state campaign rallies .
The party’s state chairman , Mr Ade Adetimehin said the decision was taken in sympathy with residents of the state over the current financial and fuel crisis.
He called on chieftains and members of the party to show more understanding and identify with those in their various localities.
