Eyewitnesses told PUNCH Online that the masked men were stationed at different locations within the area.
This situation, according to investigation, sent panic to the residents and road users along the routes.
Businesses and residents around Bodija, Ikolaba, and Awolowo were said to have quickly locked their shops and doors as some who were about to open for the day’s business turned back.
It was further learnt that the security operatives on duty at the secretariat were shocked as they were unable to disperse the agitators until the arrival of policemen from the state command and other anti-crime agencies in conjunction with members of the Nigerian Army, 2 Division, who demobilised them.
Operatives of the state security network codenamed Amotekun were also said to have been on the ground.
Motorists plying the route were said to have been making a detour as many other road users scampered to safety.
Road users en route Secretariat were diverted along Customs Junction as the Secretariat-Queen Elizabeth Road had been cut off traffic.
It was gathered that the efforts of the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security, CP Sunday Odukoya (retd.), to calm the situation were futile, as the agitators insisted on hoisting their flag within the Secretariat.
As of the time of this report, efforts to get the State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso’s reaction, were unsuccessful as his mobile number was not reachable.
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