On Monday, frustrated residents of Osun State blocked the Oke Fia/Dele-Yes-Sir dual carriageway in Osogbo, the state capital, in protest against MTN officials for allegedly not attending to them promptly after their mobile lines were barred.
Residents, who had traveled from various towns across the state to the MTN Connect Store in Osogbo, expressed their frustration. Despite arriving as early as 1:00 am, many were not attended to promptly. In their anger, the residents blocked the road, causing traffic disruptions and forcing drivers to find alternate routes.
Order was restored when Department of State Security (DSS) operatives arrived and directed the protesters to clear the barricade. At the MTN Connect Store, those who had registered their names on Saturday were being attended to, while new arrivals were compiling their names. Elderly, sick, and pregnant individuals were allowed inside the premises to wait for their turn.
Our correspondent observed a DSS vehicle with about five operatives parked beside the MTN premises. During interviews, a resident from Ikire, Mrs. Korede, shared her frustration about the long wait despite arriving at 5:00 am. She noted that 114 people had registered before her, even though she did not see any list.
A commercial motorcyclist from Ikirun recounted his experience, explaining that he came to Osogbo hoping to avoid the large crowds at the MTN office in his town. However, he found a significant crowd and joined the protesters who blocked the road from 7:00 am until DSS operatives intervened around 9:00 am.
Efforts to speak with the senior officer in charge at the Osogbo MTN Connect Office were unsuccessful, as those approached claimed not to be employees of the organization.
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