Violent attacks were meted on some commuters by touts in the early hours of Thursday on Benin Lagos Road by Ekiadolor junction, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State
The touts who were armed with dangerous broken bottles and other dangers weapons, attacked motorists who refused to give them cash sum before continuing their journey.
A mini bus driver who simply identified himself as Mr Andrew said he quickly parted with the sum of N500.00 when the hoodlums number about 10 accosted him at about 6:30 am Ekiadolor junction.
The commercial bus driver who plies First East Circular Road and Federal College of Education, Technical in Ekiadolor Community narrated his experience to TheNewspad Media.
The visibly terrified drive who escaped been injured, said, “I saw them with my eyes. They (tauts) were collecting money from drivers this morning. They said we should support the protest against hunger.
“Some drivers quickly pay N500. 00 before the barricade that was placed on the road was removed.
“Others who failed to comply, especially truck drivers had their vehicle windscreens smashed with sticks and stones”, according to him.
He revealed that the intervention of security agents, dispersed them.
Investigating also revealed that the protest against hunger was relatively peaceful in most parts of Edo State, including Oredo Local Government Area.
#EndBadGovernance protesters staged a peaceful protests around the King square where Edo State House of Assembly Complex is located in Benin City.
A combined team of armed Policemen and Nigeria Security, Civil Defence Corpse, NSCDC, and the military personnel, restricted vehicular movement around the King square, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Annex on Akpakpava road, which was condoned-off for hours.
But, the situation almost drifted in some parts of Ugbowo, Ugbiyokho around Ekehuan Road where some youths staged bonfire and sang dirges to draw the government attention to their plights.
The deployment of heavy security personnel to the area, is believed to have deterred hoodlums from riding roughshod in most parts of Edo State.
At First East Circular Road by Uwa junction and Sokponmba junction, protesters who blocked the Road for one hour, while Pedestrians were granted the right of exit and entry by youths.
The behaviour of some youths who took to the street at about 9a.m, delayed some road users from arriving at their destinations as scheduled.
TheNewspad reports that security agents however sacked them from the road a moment later, paving the way for road users.
There was heavy deployment of military personnel to the Custodial Centres across the State where most shops and business activities were shut down for hours.
Upper Sokponmba area in Ikpoba-Okha LGA, which was considered as a potential flashpoint after the EndSARS riot, was also manned by the military personnel.
Nationwide protests against economic hardship has being generating traction on social Media in the face of skyrocketing prices of foodstuffs and essential commodities.
The situation has become a source of worry to Nigerians who are battling one of its worst inflation rate and economic crisis triggered by the federal government twin economic policies — Petrol subsidy removal and the unification of the Exchange rate.
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