Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Saturday confirmed the death of Jimoh Isiaka, one of the EndSARS protesters in Ogbomosho, a town in Oyo State.
The Governor, who also confirmed at least seven other persons were seriously injured during the protest, said the situation is highly regrettable.
Makinde, who is in Ondo in his capacity as Chairman of the PDP campaign organisation at the ongoing Ondo State governorship election, said he has contacted Commissioner of Police, Nwachukwu Enwonwu and other relevant agencies noting, investigations into what led to the unfortunate incident are still ongoing.
The Governor spoke on his Twitter handle, promising to pay a personal visit to the family of Jimoh Isiaka and pursue the investigations to a logical conclusion.
While calling for calm on the part of the people, Makinde appealed to Police to allow the residents protest peacefully without fear of being assaulted.
He tweets:
“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,” Makinde tweeted.
“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.”
This is coming after the Nigerian Police Force denied shooting at the EndSARS protesters in Ogbomosho.
The police spokesman in Oyo State Olugbenga Fadeyi in a statement issued on Saturday said that the police did not fire a single shot at any protesters.
“The Police did not fire a shot or kill any protester as widely circulated,” Fadeyi said.
He, however, said the police used tear gas to disperse the protesters when “they started throwing stones into the Police premises and attempted to gain entrance into the premises.”
