A significant number of Lagos residents were deterred from joining the protest against hunger and bad governance due to a warning from traditional worshipers that anyone participating would face death at the hands of Ogun, the god of iron. This threat, combined with police warnings of severe consequences for troublemakers and a court order restricting protests to specific locations, led to a notably low turnout.
By 9 a.m., the popular Freedom Park in Ojota, Lagos, was devoid of protesters, with only a large contingent of security personnel occupying the area. However, a group of protesters gathered at the Ikeja bridge and marched to the Government House in Alausa. The protesters vowed to continue their march to Freedom Park in Ojota.
A street vendor, Lamide Adeyemi, shared his reasons for staying away from the protest, citing respect for traditional and religious institutions. “Yes, we are hungry, but as a typical Yoruba, my friends and I have refused to join the protest because we respect our elders and traditional and religious institutions. You may have heard that some traditional worshipers placed a curse on anyone who should involve in the protest to be killed by Ogun (god of iron). We don’t want to die a mysterious death. I think the fear of Ogun kept many of us at home,” JOHN told pathwaynews.
Comrade Ajanu Makinde acknowledged the lower-than-expected turnout but noted that the protesters’ message had been made clear. He attributed the low participation to fears sparked by traditional worshipers, security agencies, and the memory of the tragic events at Lekki Toll Gate during the EndSARS protests. “People have decided to avoid the toll gate to avoid being shot by the police and their sister agency, the army. You have seen that as early as 6 a.m., soldiers were drafted to Lekki Toll Gate. We don’t want a repeat of what happened during the EndSARS saga,” Makinde explained.
By press time, only a few vehicles were on the roads, and the usual chaotic traffic was absent. Many markets, including major ones like Alaba, Balogun, Trade Fair, and Computer Village, were shut down for fear of looting by angry protesters. Shops in certain areas remained closed as well.
