By Peter Ayoade
Against the report of the Oyo State Police command that nobody was killed, the Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has affirmed that one person was killed on Saturday in Ogbomoso during the #Endsars protest.
Gov. Makinde confirmed the killing on his verified Facebook account and also added that 7 others were injured.
He stated the name of the victim as Jimoh Isiaka and sympathised with the family of the deceased.
It was gathered that the protesters were rallying in Ogbomoso to join the demand for the eradication of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad unit of the police.
The full message:
I have received with deep sadness the news of the passing of one of our children, Jimoh Isiaka, who was shot during the ENDSARS protest in Ogbomoso. He later died at Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, earlier today.
Also, at this same protest, Abdulrasaq Olawale, Oluwadamilare Gbolohunmi, and five other persons sustained 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. I pray that God grants the parents of Jimoh Isiaka the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.
The ENDSARS protests are a strong indicator of a systemic failure. It is a failure on the part of those who have been constitutionally empowered to protect the citizens. 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.
I will be paying a personal visit to the family of Jimoh Isiaka and I promise to pursue the investigations to a logical conclusion.
Peaceful protests are a big part of our democratic process. The right to freedom of speech and assembly are guaranteed by our Constitution, and 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 protest peacefully without fear of being assaulted.
Again, I express my deepest sympathies to the family of Jimoh Isiaka, may his soul rest in peace.
