Yoruba Nation Rally: Heavy Gridlock as Police Search Vehicles for Separatist Agitators

By Sunday Ehigiator

Commuters on the Berger axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway suffered delay Saturday as security operatives stopped passenger vehicles in search of Yoruba Nation agitators.

Our correspondent, who passed the expressway, noticed that there was gridlock affecting in-bound traffic, causing about 15 minutes delay.

The security operatives also barricaded the expressway, limiting the number of vehicles that could gain access to Lagos.

The number of lanes for vehicle that could access Lagos State from Ogun State reduced to two from four.

At Ketu, near the Gani Fawehinmi Park, security operatives also searched vehicles.

They also blocked the routes leading to the venue of the protest and positioned police vehicles at strategic locations.

During the search at Ketu, one of the policemen asked if posters or banners were in the vehicle.

As of 11am, the atmosphere at Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota, Lagos, is filled with apprehension as protesters are seen hanging around in their numbers awaiting the commencement of the Yoruba Nation mega rally.

Armed policemen and soldiers attached to OP MESSA were seen in patrol vans and armoured vehicles stationed in strategic points around the park where the rally was billed to hold.

The Lagos State Police Command had in separate statements, on Thursday and Friday, warned the agitators to shelve the rally.

However, the Umbrella body of Yoruba Self-Determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua, said that the pro-Yoruba Nation rally scheduled to hold in Lagos State on Saturday will go on as scheduled.

More details to follow…