Naira Crisis: Travelers Stranded As Protesters Block Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

Posted by Thandiubani on Wed 15th Feb, 2023 - tori.ng

It was observed that some youths mounted roadblocks at the Iwo Road, Gate, Challenge, Olorunsogo, and Academy areas.

Protesters have blocked some parts of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Wednesday over scarcity of the new naira.

The incident left travellers stranded at the Oyo State end of the highway, according to Punch.

It was observed that some youths mounted roadblocks at the Iwo Road, Gate, Challenge, Olorunsogo, and Academy areas.

Some youths were also seen playing football on the highway, other protesters mount roadblocks while collecting money from some motorists.

Movement at the Ibadan end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was also grounded as several cars were seen parked at along the roadside.

Some of the motorists who spoke in an interview with The PUNCH expressed worries over the development.

A motorist, Mr Dapo Adedeji, said he was on his way to Lagos from Osogbo when he met the youths at Iwo road who sent him back.

He claimed he had to take the old Ife road and got to Olorunsogo where he met another roadblock but could not pass through.

He said, “I first met them at Iwo road, and they sent me back so I followed other vehicles to Old Ife road. Luckily, I was able to get to this place (Olorunsogo) but these guys are radicals because they were carrying sticks and almost broke my windscreen but I quickly reversed.

“This is getting serious and the government should do something. The last time I experienced this kind of thing is during the EndSARS. They shouldn’t allow things to get to that level again.”

Similarly, Ayorinde Taiwo said he had been waiting for the roadblock to be removed from the road for over three hours.

“This is nonsense. How can people be allowed to block a federal road like this? I have been waiting here for over three hours now and nothing is happening. I had to give them money at Iwo road and Oremeji before I could get to this place. This is lawlessness,” he said.

One of the protesters who spoke under anonymity condition said they decided to block the roads to express their grievance over the scarcity of naira notes.

“They said we should spend old notes and the new note is also not available. What did they expect us to do? Imagine I went to buy food yesterday and the woman said she won’t collect the money from me because it is old. It is better nobody goes to work, let everybody stay at home,” the protester said.