•Security operatives
Streets in Akure, the capital city of Ondo State, were deserted today while shops, shopping malls and offices, including government offices, were shut down out of fear and apprehension about the hunger protest, which commenced today.
Security operatives, including policemen, operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) men of Amotekun corps were heavily deployed to strategic locations to maintain law and order, reports Nigerian Tribune.
Our correspondent who moved through the state capital, Akure, observed calm while few vehicles were seen on the road and motor parks and other business environments, including commercial banks, were not open for business.
At the student community of the Federal University of Technology (FUTA), most students remained indoors as the school authorities had earlier declared a lecture break in the school.
The usual early morning hustling around the popular Oja Oba market on Adesida Road, Oba Ile market, and Ogbese market were obliviously absent, with few residents seen gathering in groups and discussing.
When our correspondent visited the First Bank Arena, where the protesters were billed to have converged, it was absolutely empty, devoid of any protesters, but security operatives were seen mounting guards around the area as of the time of filing this report.
Police officers, along with other sister security agencies, were seen moving around the town on a show of force operation to serve as a clear warning to those who may seek to use the protest to destabilise the state.
