Benin, Nigeria – Coalition of Civil Society Organizations, Coordinators of the natiowide #EndBadGovernance protest in Edo State have readjusted the protesting time for between 8 am and 4 pm daily.
The protesters, in a 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 followed 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 so far.
According to him, nobody has been injured, no death, no casualties in the state, and that is what we want to avert.
“You know that with teargas, people will be running all about and this could lead to injuries. We have not been pushed into using teargas, and so no injuries yet.
“There’s no destruction of government properties. Everything is going on and we are happy about it. We want them to continue to maintain it,” he said.
The commissioner, 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 a 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 10-day duration, adding that the other states are emulating their organized peaceful approach.
