Some residents of Ilorin, the Kwara capital yesterday took to the streets in protest over erratic power supply in some parts of the metropolis which has paralysed business and social activities in their areas.

The protesters in their hundreds stormed the Challenge office of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) carrying placards with inscriptions such as  No Light, No payment ,  Say No to 5 minutes Power Supply , among others.

The residents among them students mostly of University of Ilorin from Tanke; Taiwo, a major commercial hub in Ilorin, Sabo-Oke, all in the metropolis, said they were particularly irked by the outrageous bills served by the PHCN officials when they barely enjoy electricity supply.

As early as 9:00am, our correspondent sighted protesters from Tanke singing anti-PHCN slogans as they marched to the PHCN's office at former SawMill, Tanke. Not contented, they proceeded to the Challenge Business District of the PHCN where they jammed into protesters from other parts of the capital who have also been in darkness for days.

The protesters from Tanke ran into the governor's convoy while walking peacefully along the Ahmadu Bello Way Government House road.

The Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed who was reportedly on his way out waited to address the protesters as he assured them that their grievances would be addressed, advising them not to take laws into their hands.

Mobile policemen were swiftly drafted to the scene to maintain the peace in the area and forestall attacks on PHCN facilities and personnel in the district.

The protest resulted in chaotic traffic snarls in the always busy Challenge as motorists were stranded for about 30 minutes until the protesters dispatched.

Some of the students who spoke to our correspondent said electricity supply at Tanke, a densely populated off-campus environ of University of Ilorin students, is only stable when they are on holiday but becomes erratic as soon as they are on session.

Speaking with Sunday Trust, the spokesman of PHCN Challenge Business District said the problem is nationwide as the Power Ministry, has addressed the whole nation last week, saying,  their protest was largely due to lack of understanding . He said the students have been advised to come on Monday to meet with the Business Manager.