Connect with us

News

We sent soldiers to protect protesters not attack –Ekiti govt

Published

on

Kayode Fayem

The Ekiti State Government has refuted claims that it sent armed soldiers to disrupt the #EndSARS protests that were held in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital on Monday.

The state’s commissioner for information, Akin Omole, in a statement on Tuesday debunked the rumours stating that the armed soldiers were sent to protect lives.

He said reports “emanating from the social media that soldiers have taken over the Ado Ekiti, the state capital and chased protesters with guns as untrue and misleading.”

“Soldiers did not engage the protesters even as they barricaded most roads in the state capital throughout Monday.”

Read also: Soldiers block access roads to #EndSARS venues, as police beat protesters

“The soldiers were in the state to protect the people, including the protesters as well as to prevent hoodlums and miscreants from hijacking the peaceful protest by hiding behind the demonstration to commit crime and harass innocent citizens”.

“While the present administration in Ekiti recognizes and respects the right of peaceful assembly, and in fact, identifies with the people on the demand for good governance, all stakeholders must be mindful of the safety of all lives and both public and private properties in the State.

“Innocent law-abiding citizens should be allowed to go about their lawful businesses without hindrance while there must be due cognisance of the fact that willful destruction of properties will be detrimental to the socio-economic wellbeing of the people,” the commissioner’s statement read.

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