A group of women from Ipo community have barricaded the entrance to the Port Harcourt international airport in Rivers.

The women are protesting the lack of basic amenities in their community.

The protest has disrupted flight operations at the airport and left passengers stranded. The demonstration has also led to snarled-up traffic on adjoining routes.

Ipo is the host community of the international airport in Ikwerre LGA of Rivers.

The women said the community lacks electricity, roads, pipe-borne water, and schools, despite hosting a critical federal government facility.

The women locked the gate to the airport roundabout, wielded placards with sundry inscriptions, while chanting solidarity songs and anti-government slogans.

In March, the women staged a similar protest. They were eventually pacified by Sergeant Awuse, former chairman of the Rivers traditional rulers council.

The demonstration comes on the heels of the police’s directive to the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).

The Rivers police command had asked NULGE to shelve its protest on the LG crisis which kicked off on Monday.

Rivers has become a potpourri of protests and angst since Siminalayi Fubara, the state governor, parted ways with Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

The Lagos government has announced the diversion of traffic on certain routes in Ikoyi.

Oluwaseun Osiyemi, commissioner for transportation in Lagos, said in a statement on Tuesday that traffic will be diverted from Alfred Rewane and Osborne Foreshore Estate to allow for the first phase of rehabilitation of asphaltic sections.

The state government said the diversion will begin on June 26 and end on July 27.

Osiyemi urged motorists to obey traffic officials and use alternative routes during the rehabilitation.

“Motorists from Alexander/Glover are advised to use Oba Adeyinka Oyekan Avenue inwards Ikoyi to connect Obalende/Ring Road and access Third Mainland Bridge to proceed with their journeys,” the statement reads.

“Those from Victoria Island are advised to go through Falomo Roundabout to link Awolowo Road and access Third Mainland Bridge to reach their desired destinations.

“Alternately, motorists from Victoria Island can utilise Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue to link Mekunwen Bridge and proceed to CMS/Apongbon Bridge inwards Eko Bridge to access Funsho Williams Avenue to reach their desired destinations.”

Osiyemi assured motorists of the presence of traffic managers to help minimise inconveniences and ensure steady flow of traffic.

Suspected bandits have killed Yusuf Saidu, the deputy vice-chancellor of research, innovation, and development at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS).

In a statement on Monday, the authorities at the university said Saidu was killed on his way to Kaduna from his place in Sokoto.

The management of the university described the death of the professor as a “painful loss” to the academic community.

“The death has occurred of Prof. Yusuf Saidu, the current Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research, Innovation, and Development at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto,” the statement reads.

“He was attacked and killed by bandits on his way to Kaduna from Sokoto State. A man of integrity, religion, dedication, and courage.”

“May Allah accept his soul and forgive his sin, but this is a painful loss to all members of the university community and the academy at large.”

Saidu was a professor of nutritional biochemistry at the university.

He graduated in 1990 with a bachelor of science degree in biochemistry from the same university and was the best graduating student.

He obtained a master’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Jos in 1994 with distinction and his PhD in biochemistry from Usmanu Danfodiyo University in 2005.