Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has promised to secure the release of all #ENDSARS protesters arrested by the Police.
He also promised that no further life would be lost to the protests in the state.
Makinde spoke in Ibadan on Tuesday while addressing protesters at Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that government had put in place mechanisms to ensure the safety of protesters.
The governor was accompanied by the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Debo Ogundoyin, Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Seun Fakorede and some members of the State House of Assembly.
The governor commended the #EndSARS protests and said that Nigerian leaders had to do more to create employment for the teeming youths.
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He said, “I can tell you that all of these protests are not just about SARS. There is a need for employment for the youths. There is anger in the land. Job opportunities are few and far in-between. So, as leaders, we have to do more.
“Peaceful protest is guaranteed in our constitution, but I want to beg you, all of the protesters that have been detained will be released. I have spoken with the Commissioner of Police and the Attorney-General of the State.
“But we cannot do some of the good things we have in an atmosphere of chaos. I have listened to you. I have the Commissioner for Youths here. He will see and engage with your leaders.
“I am with you 101 per cent. I want to thank you because you are Nigerian youths and you are not lazy. You are not violent; you did not vandalise anything.
“What you have done is to show peacefully that certain policies of government, especially the brutality by the Nigeria Police Force should be addressed.”
Earlier, a non-governmental organisation known as the Citizens’ Gavel, had, in a petition addressed to the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, alleged that cases of abuse of citizens by operatives of SARS have increased despite several reforms announced by the Inspector General of Police.
The petition was signed by the organisation’s Legal Associate/Consultant, Mosebolatan Oyedeji.
The organisation demanded for the immediate release of all protesters during the #EndSARS protests across states and an immediate directive to all police formations to stand down from violent repression of peaceful protests.
It said officers engaged in acts of brutality against protesters in FCT, Delta, Edo, Abuja and Ogun states must also face disciplinary panel.
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