Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and his Osun State counterpart, Adegboyega Oyetola, have called on the police authorities to carry out a reform in the Force.
Okowa particularly called for calm in the state at the backdrop of violent protests against the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, the governor acknowledged that citizens had the right to protest against any case of perceived wrong in the society, but cautioned that such right must be exercised within the ambit of the law.
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He said that the reported killing of a policeman and injuring of another officer of the Police Force during the #ENDSARS protests in Ughelli area of the state on Thursday was disheartening, and advised that citizens should eschew taking laws into their hands.
The governor sued for calm and urged the police authorities to carry out a thorough investigation into the issues and fish out those who turned a peaceful protest into violence.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I commiserate with the Commissioner of Police, the Delta State Police Command and the family of the deceased officer, in the unfortunate incident of Thursday at Ughelli,” he said.
While sympathising with the Police, the governor urged the Inspector-General of Police to embark on a reform of the tactical squads of the Police Force in the best interest of the country.
- Oyetola reacts
On his part, the Osun State Governor appealed to youths in the state to exercise restraints in the face of the protests against police brutality in the country, adding that the government was already responding to the people’s outcry.
Oyetola, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode, on Saturday, advised citizens not to take laws into their hands considering that Osun is a peaceful State, and that President Muhammadu Buhari had promised reforms in the Force and given directives to the Inspector-General of Police to wade into the situation immediately.
The statement read in part: “We appeal for calm and urge our citizens to continue to uphold the peaceful profile of the State by not taking laws into their hands.
“Let us not be tempted to attack public property and facilities which are ours and took the government and taxpayers many years of sacrifice and struggles to build.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has given directives to the Inspector-General of Police to do what needs to be done to bring to justice officers that have been found culpable of infringing on the rights of citizens.
“We believe that the Nigerian Police Force has taken note of our agitations, and that the Inspector-General will call his men to order where necessary.
“We wish to also remind the good people of the State of Osun of the patriotism of the vast majority of Police Officers in the country, men and women who have been committed to protecting the lives and property of citizens over the years, and a lot of them have died in the cause of their duty.
“Let us, therefore, not take our anger against a reckless few on the entire Force that is working day and night to ensure our safety.
“Our citizens can count on the efforts of the government of the State of Osun to continue to do everything possible to protect citizens from actual and potential threats,” Oyetola said.
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