#EndSARS: Governor Makinde bars police from engaging protesters in Oyo

Policemen have been barred from engaging #EndSARS protesters in Oyo state by Governor Seyi Makinde.

Speaking after a meeting with security chiefs in the state in a statewide broadcast on Monday October 12, Makinde stated that it is the legitimate right of citizens to protest.

He added that members of Operation Burst have been deployed to the hotspot especially Ogbomosho to ensure that as people protest, they will not be harassed or brutalised. The Oyo state Governor also urged the protesters to be peaceful during the protest.

People carry placards in continuation of ongoing demonstrations to call for the scrapping of the controversial police unit at Ikeja, on October 9, 2020. – Nigeria’s top police chief banned a controversial anti-robbery unit and other special agents from mounting roadblocks and carrying out stop-and-search operations over accusations of abuses. Inspector-General of Police Muhammed Adamu said the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and other tactical squads must stop such operations “with immediate effect”. Adamu said the decision followed findings that “a few personnel” in undercover tactical squads have abused their position “to perpetrate all forms of illegality”. (Photo by PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP)

Makinde said;

“The past few days have been 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 hospitalized as a result of the actions of the Nigeria Police Force during this #ENDSARS protest.

“We have agreed that the police should take a backseat as other security agencies take the front line in securing the lives of protesters at this time.

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