The tone of the message indicated that the organisers were ready to shut down the city to press home their demand for a reduction in the price of fuel, which was selling for over N500 per litre.
To prevent a breakdown in law and order, there was a heavy presence of security operatives on Ring Road and other areas where the protest was to take place. There were also security personnel in other parts of the town, as the state government was prepared to ensure that the protest was not hijacked by hoodlums.
Agho said those burning tyres on the road cannot be described as hoodlums, but rather aggrieved members of the public who felt that was the only way they could express their grievances. He stated that unfulfilled promises on the part of the government at the state and federal levels led to the protest.
“So what does the government expect the people to do? The lizard is invited into the house by the person who brings in an ant-infested log of wood. So those people who are burning tyres are not hoodlums, and they have the right to protest. He also urged the government to check the activities of black marketers, who he said were conniving with unscrupulous fuel station attendants.