Protests in Akwa Ibom Disrupted by Rains, Security Presence, and Police Restrictions

Thursday’s early morning rains and restrictions by the police have disrupted the planned hunger protest in Akwa Ibom State.

The protesters were scheduled to gather at Unity Park, Udo Udoma in Uyo, the approved venue assigned by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command. However, the heavy presence of security operatives and rainfall deterred some protesters from attending.

Reports indicate that the security operatives prevented the protesters from relocating to other areas during the continuous downpour that persisted until late afternoon.

In Uyo, the state capital, as well as in major cities like Eket and Ikot Ekpene, most roads were deserted, causing many commuters to be stranded due to the limited availability of vehicles.

With the fear of potential looting, many civil servants stayed away from work, while markets, banks, and various businesses remained closed.

An observation of key protest gathering spots in Uyo, such as Nwaniba Water Fountain, well-known Ibom Plaza, Secretariat roundabout, and circus, revealed a lack of protesters but an increased presence of security operatives, including the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the local security outfit, Ibom Watch, conducting patrols in the area.

Despite the disappointment of some protesters who were confined to Unity Park, which they considered a remote location, they remain determined to continue the planned protest for the following ten days.

One protester named Mfon emphasized that today was just the beginning of the protest and vowed to regroup and carry out the peaceful demonstration, which he referred to as ‘a mandate.’

Notably, Governor Umo Eno had previously organized a stakeholders forum where leaders from organizations like NLC and NANS withdrew their support for the protest.

Furthermore, the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Niger Delta Ex-Agitators cautioned young people against participating in the protest.