Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Monday, avowed that all persons involved in the wanton destruction, killing, arson that greeted the #EndSARS protests in the state will be brought to book.
Makinde asserted this stance during a meeting with traditional rulers, religious leaders and local government Chairmen on the security situation in the state, held at House of Chiefs, State Secretariat, Ibadan.
Recall that the state, in the wake of the #EndSARS protests experienced the burning of police stations and other infrastructure, killing of police officers and other individuals, looting of properties and vandalisation of public infrastructure.
While stating that he did not regret openly supporting the #EndSARS protests, Makinde said the violent dimension that the protests took was not permissible.
“Even when thugs and hoodlums decided to cause mayhem in some parts of our dear state, some of you stood up and repelled them. We had so many people call the 615 emergency number because they were not interested in the destructions of lives and properties. And because of your actions, our losses, both human and material, were minimal.
“I want to reassure the good people of Oyo State that all criminal elements that engaged in wanton destruction of lives and properties will be dealt with. I can give that assurance because killing, arson and destruction of means of livelihoods are not part of us; they are not the things we stand for as a people. I supported the protests and did not have any regret,” Makinde said.
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Speaking further, Makinde announced the setting up of N500million compensation fund for victims of injustice from the police as well as those suffering from the #EndSARS protests, asking that such complaints be lodged with the state government.
In complying with the directive of the National Economic Council (NEC), Makinde also assured that the state will inaugurate its own judicial panel to look into cases of injustice within the next week.
“We have set up an initial N500 million compensation fund for victims of injustice. So, I encourage everyone who has suffered any form of injustice in the past or as a result of #EndSARS protests to take advantage of the platforms we have provided to lodge their cases. We have an email service and a direct reporting portal and the Oyo State government website.
“A judicial panel for Oyo State will be inaugurated in the next one week to look into cases of injustice,” Makinde said.
The meeting had in attendance members of the state executive council; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin; the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji; the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi represented by Chief James Oyetunji; Aare Musulumi of Yoruba land, Edo and Delta states, Alhaji Daud Makanjuola; Deputy Inspector General of Police (Planning and Research), Leye Oyebade; Chairman, state chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Mr Joshua Akinyemiju; Chief Imam of Ibadan land, Abdulganiyy, Abubakri among others.
Speaking, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Research and Planning), Leye Oyebade, called for a stop to arson, killings, vandalisation noting that the presidency and police hierarchy was already addressing the agitation of the #EndSARS protesters.
Assuring that the police was resolved for a new dawn, Oyebade urged the youths to sit down with government and give peace a chance.
Noting that the functions of the Nigerian police cannot be given to another agency, he called on all Nigerians to support the police to be better.
“Let us listen to the words of our elders. The President, governors, Inspector General of Police have spoken. Can we ask our youths to please sit down and give peace a chance. I know that our leaders of today are not just talkative, they will match their words with actions. So, I ask that the vandalisation, destruction, arson, killings should stop.
“It will not take us to the promised land. I am saying this because the family of the person you have killed will suffer for that loss. All security agencies have spoken together and we are on the same and I am here to announce to you that it is going to be a new dawn,” Oyebade said.
Giving his own remarks, Garrison Commander, 2 Division Nigerian Army, Mr Adesoji Ogunsugba tasked local government Chairpersons, traditional rulers and religious leaders to help end the carnage by speaking to their constituents, subjects.
He also urged traditional rulers to encourage vigilante to protect national critical infrastructure in their domain from being damaged.
Ogunsugba asked that the police be given a second chance warning that their absence was already being felt with many now unable to sleep with their two eyes closed.
Speaking, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi said the agitation of the #EndSARS protests was justifiable going by the failure of authorities to rise to the occasion over the years.
He warned that the #EndSARS protests may just be a tip of the iceberg if President Muhammadu Buhari, governors, and others in positions of authority fail to listen to the yearnings of the youths who have been denied their rights over time.
In particular, he decried that the shooting at Lekki incident stirred the hornets’ nest, urging those in positions of authority to listen and calm the youths down rather than the use of force.
Oba Adeyemi warned that the nation continued to face various challenges because it operated a unitary system of government.
He particularly saluted the youths for organising the #EndSARS protests in a way that even shocked the elders.
Speaking on behalf of Oba Adetunji, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land, High Chief Lekan Balogun said Amotekun may turn out to be the saving grace, urging governors to make the outfit functional in their various states.
Chief James Oyetunji who represented the Soun of Ogbomoso warned that the existence of several idle youths continued to constitute a threat to the society, asking that government must ensure that they are engaged.
In his remarks, the Oyo CAN Chairman, Joshua Akinyemiju urged religious leaders to be resolute in speaking from their various pulpits against arson, destruction, killings.
He also charged religious leaders to fervently cry to God to set the nation from untoward happenings
Recounting his experience with the #EndSARS protesters, the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abd-Ganiy Adekunle expressed fear at the future of the society if the youths are not gainfully engaged.
He also chided the police for typically being quick to release arrested offenders without diligent prosecution.
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