Edo protesters agree to end activities 4 pm daily

Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, the coordinators of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests in Edo State, have readjusted the protesting time to 8 am to 4 pm daily.

DAILY POST reports that the protesters in an unanimous voice vote said the closing time of 4 pm would enable business owners to access their premises for business activities.

They noted that the decision was sequel to complaints by some persons that while some business owners complied with the directives not to open for business others are secretly attending to customers.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Funsho Adegboye has disclosed that there was no attack or loss of life since the commencement of the protest in the state.

Adegboye commended the protesters for their civil and peaceful conduct since the commencement of the protest in the state.

According to him: “Nobody is injured, no death, no casualties in the state, and that is what we want to avert even people protesting around this Olokun area.

“You know if it is even teargas, people will be running helter and shelter. It may lead to injuries, and people running away may run into a moving vehicle. For now, no injuries or loss of life in Edo state.

“No destruction of government property. Everything is going on and we are happy about it. We want them to continue to maintain it.”

The Commissioner of Police, however, condemned the action of some individuals who are deviating from the protest agenda by setting up illegal roadblocks and extorting money from members of the public.

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“We discovered that some people are regrouping in some other locations where they are carrying out illegal activities like extortion of money from motorists and other members of the public.

“This is not how to protest. We should not spoil the good work we have started on this protest.

“Anybody seen blocking the road in other places apart from the designated venue for the protest which is the Kings Square will be treated as looter or hoodlum, and we don’t want to start using maximum force on them.

“So people are advised to go about their lawful businesses while those that want to protest should please go to the Kings Square, that is the designated area for protesters where we have people protesting peacefully and in a modern ways.

“The only roadblock mounted by police at the Kings Square was intended to prevent the protesters from any attacks by suspected hoodlums, ” he stated.

He encouraged the protesters to continue with the peaceful protest for the remaining part of the days, adding that the other states are emulating their organised peaceful approach.

He threatened that any unscrupulous element found carrying out attacks or looting under the guise of protest would be treated as common criminal.