Protesters Dare FCT Minister, Completely Block Abuja Airport Road

Barely 24 hours after the Minister of FCT, Muhammed Bello, banned all forms of protests in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigerians protesting against police brutality and bad governance have completely blocked the Musa Yar’Adua Expressway in Abuja.

The route, which is popularly called Airport Road, connects suburbs like Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Lugbe, amongst others, to the city centre.

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It also serves as the main route connecting the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to the M.K.O Abiola National Stadium and the Central Business District.

THE WHISTLER reported on Thursday that the Federal Capital Territory Administration had banned protests and processions in the federal capital to forestall breakdown of law and order.

The FCTA announced the ban after a meeting of the FCT Security Committee headed by the minister.

It had said, “the unruly conduct of the crowd and manner of demonstrations are in complete violation of the COVID-19 safety protocols which were put in place to safeguard the lives of citizens,” adding that, “Consequently, the Committee directs that due to the dangers posed by COVID-19, all street demonstrations, protests and processions will not be allowed anywhere within the FCT.”

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But in clear show of contempt for the FCT Minister’s directive, the protesters convened around the popular City Gate in Abuja on Friday, causing total lockdown of vehicular movement.

The protesters seemed prepared to pass several nights at the location as they mounted charging ports to keep their phones powered, while some of them were seen with their backpacks.

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