A man identified as Jimoh Isiaka has been allegedly killed while several others injured by unidentified police in Ogbomosho, Oyo state on Saturday during the #EndSARs protest rocking Nigeria.
The deceased was said to have been murdered by trigger-happy police officer while participating in peaceful #EndSARSProtests in Ogbomosho and has been buried according to Islamic rites.
However, the Police Command in Oyo State has debunked the reported shooting of EndSARS protesters in Ogbomoso by its personnel.
The Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Olugbenga Fadeyi, in a statement issued in Ibadan said that the police did not fire a single shot at any protester. Fadeyi said that the protesters were allowed to express their grievances for over one hour.
“According to the information I gathered from the officers monitoring the protest, the police did not fire shot at anybody.
“The protesters were allowed for over one hour to carry out their protest and express their grievances until when some of them wanted to forcefully enter the police station with a view to attacking it.
“The police only fired teargas to disperse the protesters; they did not fire shot at anybody as widely reported,’’ Fadeyi said.
But the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has confirmed the killing of Jimoh Isiaq, saying in a statement that, “I have received with deep sadness the news of the passing of one of our children, Jimoh Isiaka, who was shot during the ENDSARS protest in Ogbomoso. He later died at Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, earlier today.
“Also, at this same protest, Abdulrasaq Olawale, Oluwadamilare Gbolohunmi, and five other persons sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.
“This situation is highly regrettable. I have contacted the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State, Nwachukwu Enwonwu, and other relevant agencies, and investigations into what led to the unfortunate incident are still ongoing.
“I pray that God grants the parents of Jimoh Isiaka the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.
“The ENDSARS protests are a strong indicator of a systemic failure. It is a failure on the part of those who have been constitutionally empowered to protect the citizens.
“It again calls into question why State Governors are called Chief Security Officers of their state whereas they do not have the necessary powers to control the police force.
“I will be paying a personal visit to the family of Jimoh Isiaka and I promise to pursue the investigations to a logical conclusion.
“Peaceful protests are a big part of our democratic process. The right to freedom of speech and assembly are guaranteed by our Constitution, and I will never support any attempt to rob citizens of their fundamental human rights.
“I call on all residents of Oyo State to please remain calm. I also call on the police to allow residents of Oyo State protest peacefully without fear of being assaulted.
“Again, I express my deepest sympathies to the family of Jimoh Isiaka, may his soul rest in peace.”
