The Edo State Government on Friday charged all security agencies
to fish out those involved in the alleged killing of an #EndSARS
protester in the state within 24 hours and ensure that the
perpetrators of the dastardly act are brought to justice.
Addressing the protesters at the Kings square axis in Benin
city, the state capital Deputy Governor, mister Philip Shaibu, said
the government will not fold its arms and watch harm come the way
of young people exercising their rights as citizens of the
country.
According to Shaibu, “I have given instructions to the security
agencies to fish out those behind the attack. The police, the
Department of State Security (DSS) and other security agencies have
been ordered to bring to book those guys that harassed you and
killed that young man.”
“Some of you sustained injuries, I can see them from here; they
have 24 hours to bring the attackers to book,” he noted.
The deputy governor further said: “I have ordered that the
victim be taken to the morgue; we are going to give him a state
burial because the martyrs of this struggle must be remembered. He
will be remembered for being part of this struggle. He is a martyr
already and by the grace of God, he will never be forgotten.
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“By the grace of God, when all these reforms have taken place,
it will be on record that he joined the struggle for emancipation.
I want to assure you that the Edo Government believes in your
peaceful protest.”
Assuring the protesters of the government’s support, Shaibu
noted: “We will not fold our hands as a government and watch
miscreants brutalize anyone involved in this protest. So, please
maintain your calm and orderliness during the protests.
“We are with you in this struggle. President Muhammadu Buhari
has also said that there is going to be a reform, but we, as a
state, are going to ensure that we have a reform that is
people-friendly because the police are meant to protect lives and
property not to destroy them. I want to assure you that we are with
you on this.”
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mr. David Osayende said,
“One of us has been killed during this struggle. Sir, we want state
burial for that man. We want an end to police brutality; we want
the police to stop arresting us without any offence.”