BEVERLY HILLS, May 14, (THEWILL) – Heavily armed security operatives on Saturday morning took over strategic locations of Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, a development meant to stop the mega-rally of the Yoruba agitators, planned to commence today.
However, the determined protesters evaded the formidable security blockades and ground the city to a halt.
THEWILL learnt the protesters, under the aegis of Omo Oduduwa United, had fixed Mandela Freedom Park, Old Garage area, as converging point for the rally.
But operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS), Nigeria Police, Joint Task Force (JTF), Amotekun, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and local vigilante were all positioned at Freedom Park, the scheduled venue of the rally, and other strategic spots, including Oke-Fia, Old Garage, Alekuwodo, Ola-Iya interjection and Fagbewesa, apparently to prevent participants from the mega-rally.
The protesters, however, regrouped under November 27 Bridge, around NECO office, along Osogbo/Gbongan Road, Osogbo, for the rally.
They marched from the November 27 Bridge through Ogo-Oluwa, Aregbe Junction, Fakunle, Ola-Iya and Odi Olowo areas.
The protesters carried placards, banners chanting secession songs and distributing handbills to people along the streets.