Metro
Tension in Ibadan as residents block roads over circular road expansion
Thousands of residents of Ibadan, Oyo State, have taken to the streets to protest against alleged plans by the state government to acquire additional lands for the Ibadan Circular Road corridor.
The demonstrators, expressing anger over what they described as a forceful takeover of their ancestral lands, blocked several major roads across the ancient city, causing significant traffic disruptions.
According to reports, the Ibadan Circular Road project was first initiated during the administration of the current Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, when he served as governor of Oyo State.
It was learnt that Ladoja marked 150 metres for the construction of the road, however, the current governor, Seyi Makinde is planning to extend the number of metres for the circular road corridor, which will affect more houses and community lands.
Our correspondent reports that the protesting residents, who are from Ido, Lagelu, Ona Ara, Akinyele, Oluyole and Egbeda, want the state government to maintain the 150 metres already marked by Ladoja.
The group of protesters, currently on Iwo Road, have blocked access in and out of the area, which is one of the major roads in Ibadan.
The blockage of the road has caused serious traffic jam in that area.
A group of protesters are also at the entrance of Agodi government secretariat.
The residents armed themselves with different kinds of placards.

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