On Monday, several youths gathered under the auspices of the Angry Youth Movement brought traffic to a halt at the Berger end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, protesting what they called the country’s “untenable state of affairs.”
The protesters said the roadblock was their response to the bad governance that plunged Nigerians into a “unprecedented level of hardship.”
While holding out a large banner with the inscription, ‘Questions for the politicians and religious leaders, what is the future of Nigeria?’ The group has promised to restrict movement across the country.
The demonstration, according to a member of the group who begged not to be identified, would take place around the country on various highways.
He said the youth were fed up with the status quo and would not rest until the Federal Government woke up to its responsibilities to Nigerians.
He said, “This protest is for the betterment of all Nigerians, because if we keep quiet, things will continue to get worse. We don’t know what will become of this country in the next five to 10 years with the current level of insecurity, corruption and economic hardship.
“Nigerians are angry; even those who may not come out physically. They are on Facebook and Twitter, expressing their anger. We are not scared. Let the government come and answer us, even if they want to kill us.
“We are not stopping here; there are other places — Anambra, even the north. Everything in Nigeria is hard. They know what they are doing; corruption is everywhere. We’re doing it peacefully, but if they want violence, we are ready.”
The roadblock, mounted with bonfires on both sides of the road, elicited mixed reactions from stranded commuters who begged the protesters to take their agitations to the government house instead of inconveniencing innocent people.