Makinde orders police to stay away from #ENDSARS protesters in Oyo

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Monday ordered the police to stay away from #ENDSARS protesters in order to prevent further tension and loss of lives in the state.

The governor, who gave the directive in a statewide broadcast, expressed concern at the increasing number of victims of police brutality since the protest against the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) commenced last week.

A student of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Jimoh Isiaq, was shot dead by police during a protest in Ogbomoso last Saturday.

Makinde said: “The past few days have been ones of grief for the people of Oyo State. I cannot imagine the pain and frustration of the parents and families of those who have died or are hospitalised as a result of the actions of the Nigeria Police Force during these ENDSARS protests.

“As I stated clearly in my earlier statement, peaceful protests are a legitimate way for citizens to make their grievances known to the government and it is totally unacceptable for anyone to be hurt during such protests.

READ ALSO: #ENDSARS: Soun of Ogbomoso’s palace attacked; DSS rescues minister, others

“Last night, I held an emergency meeting with the heads of the main security agencies in Oyo State. I have again restated my position on the ongoing protests to them. We have agreed that the police should take a back seat as other security agencies take the frontlines in securing the lives of protesters, at this time.

“Therefore, we have deployed members of Operation Burst to the hot spots, especially Ogbomoso, to ensure that as people protest, they will not be harassed or brutalised.

“I want to reassure the good people of Oyo State that I am doing everything within my power, to ensure that no further lives are lost.”

“I urge all residents of Oyo State to go about their activities without fear. To the protesters, I say, you can please continue to protest peacefully.

“These are trying times for all of us and I pray that God continues to guide us and give us the wisdom to navigate through them. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now