BY ANTHONY OMOH
Over 500 visually impaired protesters barricaded the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Monday. National Commission for Persons with Disabilities
This protest created a massive traffic gridlock, forcing passengers to trek long distances to catch their flights. Many travelers were unable to make their scheduled flights due to the chaos. Gridlock
The demonstrators, who are visually impaired and physically challenged, from the School of the Blind and School of the Disabled located around the Isheri area of Lagos, said they were protesting the prolonged closure of their schools for over two years.
They claimed that their repeated appeals to the government have gone unanswered.
Visually Impaired Protesters
These visually impaired protesters say the demonstration was aimed at getting President Bola Tinubu’s attention. Speaking at the scene, spokesperson Dolor said the group’s actions were not violent.
“Our school has been shut for over two years despite repeated appeals to the government,” he stated.
According to the protesters, the government’s failure has denied them educational opportunities. This has forced many disabled persons to resort to street begging.
The protest, which involved over 500 blind protesters, blocked major access routes to the airport, severely impacting vehicular movement and flight schedules for most of the day.
“We are angry because we have no welfare, and most of us have to beg to survive,” Dolor said. “Our school has been shut for over two years despite repeated appeals to the government. We have written letters, visited offices in Abuja, but nothing has been done.”
A passenger trying to reach the airport shared an urgent message regarding the situation: “If you are coming to the airport from Oshodi, don’t pass through Hajj Camp or NAHCO. Please go through PWD. No movement since morning. No movement. No going in, no coming out. If you don’t have any business at the airport, stay away for now.”
“Visually impaired protesters have taken over. People are trekking. Passengers are missing their flight. So don’t move. Don’t come to the airport if you don’t have anything unless you are ready to trek today.”
In a statement, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed the protest by the Farmcraft Centre for the Blind, a group of visually impaired and physically challenged persons seeking government intervention in the reopening of their closed schools.
FAAN said the demonstration, which began early in the morning, blocked major access routes to the airport, affecting vehicular movement and flight schedules.
FAAN urged passengers to leave for the airport earlier than usual while security agencies worked to manage the situation and restore normal traffic flow.
