A Delta State resident, whose viral TikTok video exposed the deplorable state of Shell Road in Sapele, has been arrested by security operatives after using a creative form of protest to call attention to the region’s poor infrastructure.
In the video, the unidentified man staged a mock "bath" in the middle of the road, where floodwater had accumulated due to its poor condition, likening the situation to a "swimming pool."
His protest aimed to prompt action from the Delta State government regarding the state of the road. However, rather than addressing the infrastructure concerns, the government reportedly sent undercover agents to apprehend the individual. The man, in his viral clip, directly criticized Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, stating, "Governor Sheriff, former Governor Okowa, you have failed us. Look at the road, it's like a pool." His remarks struck a chord with many social media users, amplifying calls for improved infrastructure in the area.
Despite the widespread attention the video garnered, no immediate measures have been taken to fix the dilapidated road. Instead, the government’s response has been focused on silencing the protest, which has sparked significant backlash. Critics have condemned the arrest, questioning why the government is more concerned with suppressing dissent rather than addressing the root cause of the protest—the deteriorating state of the road.
The video continues to circulate online, with many Nigerians expressing frustration over the government's priorities and demanding swift action to improve the region’s infrastructure. The arrest has only intensified public discourse, with many seeing the man's protest as a reflection of larger systemic issues concerning governance and infrastructure development in Delta State.
