The Governor of Oyo State in southwest Nigeria, Seyi Makinde, has said the #EndSARS protests that have rocked the country are “a strong indicator of a systemic failure on the part of those who have been constitutionally empowered to protect the citizens.”
Makinde was reacting to the death of Jimoh Isiaka, who was shot during the #EndSARS protest in Ogbomoso, a city in Oyo State.
According to the governor, seven other protesters sustained varying degrees of injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.
“This situation is highly regrettable. I have contacted the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State, Nwachukwu Enwonwu, and other relevant agencies, and investigations into what led to the unfortunate incident are still ongoing.
“It again calls into question why state governors are called chief security officers of their state whereas, they do not have the necessary powers to control the police force,” Makinde stated on his official Twitter account.
The governor said peaceful protests are part of Nigeria’s democratic process, with the right to freedom of speech and assembly guaranteed by the country’s constitution. He said, “I will never support any attempt to rob citizens of their fundamental human rights.
“I call on all residents of Oyo State to please remain calm. I also call on the police to allow residents of Oyo State to protest peacefully without fear of being assaulted.”
Meanwhile, police in Abuja, the nation’s capital have fired teargas and gunshots at protesters demanding the disbandment of the rogue unit SARS.
The protesters had stormed the Force Headquarters demanding they meet with Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector General of Police, and vowed to remain at the premises until they met with the police boss.
But protesters scampered for safety soon afterward as police fired teargas canisters and shot sporadically. Some protesters were reportedly arrested while others were manhandled by officers.
By Abel Ejikeme
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