The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi believes the recent waves of #EndSARS protests in Nigeria will equally be beneficial to officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
“To the men and women of the Nigerian police force,” he tweeted on Monday via his official handle, “be assured that this movement is also for you, we know you are humans also and your reality is as a result of your environment.”
While condemning reports of brutality and abuse by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Oba Adeyeye hailed Nigerian youths for agitating for an end to the ugly incidents.
He expressed joy over the #EndSARS protests and concluded that “Finally, the youths are awake, with one voice and a common goal.”
Although he described the recent waves of protests across the country as “the beginning of greater things to come in Nigeria,” the Ooni pleaded with the protesters to carry out their agitations in a peaceful manner.
The revered monarch also shared an experience his daughter had with SARS officials.
He said his 25-year-old daughter almost lost her life when she was stopped on her way to the airport, “terribly ransacked and surrounded by fully armed plainclothes policemen in a bus, detained for close to 30mins of thorough questioning.
“Imagine a young female for that matter, all her belongings completely searched all because she was with a laptop on an official assignment from her office in Lagos. I can only imagine the countless ones that have lost their lives from such ordeals, may their souls rest in peace.”
#ENDSARS: Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu join protesters, promised to meet with the president
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu joins voice with Lagos EndSARS protesters and says on his tweeter handle that he is in full support of the peaceful protest and promised to meet President Buhari for a meeting.
The governor said, “I was at the venue of one of the #EndSARS protests today. The safety of everyone involved in peaceful protests across Lagos is important and communicating with the commissioner of police, this is what we want to guarantee on all sides.
“Tomorrow, I will be meeting with His Excellency, President Buhari in Abuja.
“As a servant of the people, my job is to listen and do everything within my power to act while managing the nature of the problems our people are protesting against. I am proud of our youth and the courage they are displaying in articulating their grievances.
“I identify wholeheartedly with the #EndSARS campaign as it touches the essence of democratic freedom. Citizens must never be denied the right to protest and your voices have been heard.
“A clear pronouncement has been made and Mr. President has addressed the nation. All SARS officers involved in the killing of innocent people and engaging in the abuse of human rights will be brought to justice.
“My stand on #EndSARS is unmistakable and I assure you that I identify with this protest because your concerns are legitimate. The protest is in good faith but we have to be peaceful and decorous in expressing ourselves.
“I have received the news of casualties at the Surulere protest as well as other developments we are monitoring. We mourn with the families of those who have lost their loved ones.
“Please do not allow your protest be hijacked and used by people with a pre-existing vendetta.”
