Tension in Ondo as Governor’s Loyalist Allegedly Leads Thugs to Disrupt Peaceful Protest

Tensions flared in Akure, the Ondo State capital, as a peaceful protest organised by the Take-It-Back Movement was violently disrupted by armed thugs alleged to be loyal to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The demonstration, held on Democracy Day, aimed to draw attention to growing insecurity, unemployment, and economic hardship in Nigeria.

Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers, led by Gbenga Aluko, a well-known supporter of the governor, stormed the rally with sticks and other weapons, scattering protesters who had gathered peacefully in the city. According to accounts from the scene, police officers present failed to intervene as the chaos unfolded.

“They sent thugs to us. Police were just looking,” one protester told SaharaReporters. “Thugs have scattered everything. They came with canes and everything. APC thugs.”

The protest was part of broader Democracy Day demonstrations across the country, where citizens voiced frustrations over insecurity and deteriorating living standards. In Ondo State, concerns have been mounting over increased cases of kidnapping and violence.

The police’s inaction during the attack has drawn criticism, especially as video and eyewitness reports suggest they did not attempt to stop the violence or apprehend the attackers.

Gbenga Aluko, the man alleged to have led the assault, has a controversial history. In January 2025, SaharaReporters detailed how he was involved in another violent incident in Akure South’s Orita Merin Ayedun Adegbola community. That attack, reportedly aimed at imposing his brother, Goke Aluko, as the chairman of a local youth forum, also went unchecked by law enforcement. Gbenga Aluko has previously faced charges in Ekiti State for cult membership, unlawful possession of firearms, and murder.

June 12, once celebrated as a symbol of Nigeria’s democratic progress, continues to evolve into a day of mass protest, as citizens across the country demand better governance and accountability from their leaders.