Vehicular movement along the Ugbowo, Isior, Oluku, and Ekosodin axis of Benin City was brought to a standstill on Wednesday as hundreds of protesters, mostly youths, blocked a major section of the Benin-Lagos Highway, causing severe gridlock for several hours.
The demonstrators took to the streets to protest worsening economic hardship, rising petrol prices, and the resulting increase in transportation costs, among other concerns.
Attempts by a small number of armed police officers to disperse the crowd proved unsuccessful, as they were overwhelmed and forced to retreat to a nearby petrol station while the protesters maintained control of the highway.
The disruption also affected academic activities at the University of Benin, where some students currently sitting for first semester examinations were stranded. One student, identified as Precious, said she had to trek from Ekosodin Junction to campus due to the inability of vehicles to move.
Speaking during the protest, a demonstrator, Osaro Osagie, who held a placard reading “Bring back Jonathan,” expressed frustration over the state of the nation. He decried the high cost of petrol, poor electricity supply, and deteriorating road conditions, noting that citizens feel neglected by political leaders.
According to him, “We are tired of the situation in the country. The price of petrol is high, transport fares have increased, and basic infrastructure like roads and electricity remains poor.”
Commenting on the development, public affairs analyst Jide Ojo said the protest underscores growing dissatisfaction among young Nigerians, many of whom feel disconnected from the country’s leadership.
He noted that the worsening economic conditions are fueling public frustration, particularly among youths who are increasingly vocal about their daily struggles.
Credit: Vanguard
