EndSARS: Oyo State Governor’s Go Ahead to Protesters Not Good Enough At This Time – Yusuf Olatunji Alabi

I have been giving accolades to the governor on his responsiveness on media on concurrent and burning issues concerning the state but the decision made today was not a good decision regarding the situation of the protest in the state especially in the state capital.

I don’t want to believe this is politics or decision to gain wide acceptance of the youth or something to do different from what others are doing. The state needs curfew as the #EndSARS #Endpolicebrutality is no more peaceful. Lives are being claimed and calmness can no longer be ensured by leaving the people to the protest with audacity and support.

The Federal Government has failed us and we have seen the meanness all over the country today. The ultimate aim was justice but now being countered with justice and turned bloody. Ibadan is another spot on target and what happened today in Ojoo is my witness.

May be you don’t know what’s going on , your aides have not briefed you and not aware of the situation. Let me briefly itemize some of our experience this week.

On Monday 19th of this month, some group of protesters invaded IBDC office in my area beat the officials and damage their office all in the name of protest, since Sunday we have been living in total light out and no guarantee for light soon. Going on that morning was peaceful but coming wasn’t easy, Dugbe to Apete took 4 hours as different roadblocks awaited our ways at every junction. This were not hoodlums per se, they are protesters protesting as they thought it was right. Every junction has a roadblock today, motorists have to pat before they have their ways and bikes are not allowed to cross in some of these roadblocks.

Today 20/10/2020 seems a bloody day in the country which Oyo State was not left out. What happened in Ojoo showed that Operation Burst cannot handle the case. They were there and intervened however not listened to by protesters and the police officers. It was bloody clash and friends who witnessed talked about the horrific incidence .

A police officer was seen on camera shooting stray to the crowd . Guys were ready to maim the police officers and officers were ready to have them down with their guns. Some guys invaded the police station and cart away some items. Now we heard that AK47 riffles are missing. Who took them ? What will they use them for ? In preparation for tomorrow or what ? This is a signal and a case to be sensitive to. I think the situation need calmness not support.

We called them hoodlums but they are youths too joining the protest as they thought they could. They have no knowledge of how to engage in the peaceful protest but know there is protest against SARS which some of them, friends and families are victims too. They see that as opportunity to unleash their terror and take revenge from the police.

Police brutality spares no one in the country and we all have stories to tell. As the the protest has no leaders and nobody to give command and instruction or educate, everybody is free to indulge in whatsoever he sees fit to make his agitation. So, the so called hoodlums and thugs are doing their own protest and they do unguided. The act of no leader will make the protest lost its goals.

Some of the people also join the protest all because they see it as an opportunity to launch their sinister motives. Some guys mount a road block around Sango and was asked if they are part of the protest. One of them replied before taking off the wood log on the road ” guys need money”. Guys need money and seized the opportunity of the #EndSARS protest to mount roadblocks and extort money from road users. Some guys too need guns, some need some shops waiting to loot while some needed other things. All these needs are shouldered on the #EndSARS protest. A good avenue!

Either real , speculations or fake news, we have heard and read on different TL social media that the military officers are deployed to every state to counter the protest. This was evidence as to what happened in Lekki today. Soldiers shooting protesters with live rounds even before the start of the curfew imposed. At least 7 people are reported dead while some still sustaining some level of injuries. Who knows, what tomorrow would say in Oyo state. Operation Burst cannot stop soldiers from operating neither can they cover all violent points in the state. It is at best to state some security measures for the protest instead of putting waives at them.
Safety first.

By; Yusuf Olatunji Alabi,

A social commentator, opinion and content writer and information marketer.

You can reach him on: Humblesouldigital@gmail.com