Protests ground Lagos, Kano, Ijebu Ode, Abuja… flights grounded

Protests over the Federal Government’s removal of fuel subsidy continued for the fourth day in many cities across the country.
A huge crowd gathered at the Gani Fawehinmi (Freedom Park) in Ojota, Lagos for a rally, where artistes and activists addressed them.
There were long lines of cars as more Lagosians trooped out to express solidarity with organized Labour for the government to revert from N141 to N65 per litre of fuel.
The Action Congress of Nigeria said in a statement by its spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, that the Federal Government was plotting to send thugs to disrupt the Ojota rally and create the grounds for a state of emergency in Lagos State.
Protesters also blocked Ikosi road in Ketu, Lagos and other parts of the state, demanding the reversion to the N65 price.
Some youths are also said to be extorting money from road users, claiming that they are unemployed and looking for their daily bread.
Angry youths also clashed with police in some parts of the state.
They also asked the National Assembly to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan and threatened to take the law into their hands.
A huge crowd also marched through streets in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State while armed youths are said to have taken over parts of the state capital, Abeokuta, demanding money and fuel from road users.
In Abuja, the Nigerian Labour congress organised a rally at Area One in Abuja while crowds of protesters marched through some streets of the Federal Capital Territory.
The capital of Abia State, Umuahia, was also grounded by the general strike declared by organized Labour on Monday. Lawyers under the aegis of the Nigerian Bar Association marched through some streets of the state capital, demanding the reversion of the subsidy removal.
Refuse has taken over major streets of the Abia State capital.
A protest march was also organised in the Imo State capital, Owerri.
Women also marched through the streets of Kano, demanding a reversal of the subsidy removal policy.
Protesters beseiged the Nigerian Embassy in Brussels, the capital of Belgium on Thursday.
Meanwhile, no flights were operated across the country for the fourth day running.
Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja remained empty while stranded travellers bemoaned their fate.
Rumours that the Federal Government would use airforce personnel to operate flights at the airports turned out to be false.
Source: Punch Newspaper