One of the deserted major roads at Ijemo in Abeokuta
Tension heightened in Ogun State as Suspected Hoodlums in the absent of EndSARS protesters on Wednesday, went on rampage, defying the government directive to suspend all forms of activities capable of breaching public peace .
Some of the Suspected Hoodlums claiming to be Commercial Motorcyclists , popularly known as
Okada riders at early hours of Wednesday blocked several parts of major roads including Asero, Ake, Iyana-Mortuary, Abiola Way and Sapon areas of Abeokuta, the State capital in protest of one of them allegedly kllled at Abiola Way by a Motorist.
Edu-Biznews observed that the situation forced many shop owners not to open for business while banks shut their gates to customers for the fear of being attacked by the Suspected Hoodlums whose activities were not challenged by security operatives in the city.
Also at Obada-Oko on the outskirts of Abeokuta, a Divisional Police Headquarters was vandalized while a DCO at the Atan-Ota Police Station , Deputy Suprintendent of Police, Augustine Ogbeche and a civilian were killed by the Hoodlums who hijacked the EndSARS protest.
According to the State Police Command's Spokesman, DSP, Abimbola Oyeyemi,"the DPO, Suprintendent of Police, Sikiru Olugbenga who sustained serious injury during the attack is still missing".
Abimbola in a statement, said Hoodlums set the station ablaze and carted away some arms.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, reactiing to the unfortunate incidents , commiserated with the families of those who have lost their loved ones and properties in the ENDSARS violence in different parts of the country.
The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary,Kunle Somorin
described the deaths and arson as “unfortunate and unwarranted”..
Abiodun, particularly expressed displeasure at some of the developments in the earlier hours of Wednesday in the state, despite his appeal for peace in his address on Tuesday.
Some of the disturbing incidents according to the governor, include burning of Atan Ota police station, killing of the Divisional Crime Officer and one other person, and serious injury to the Divisional Police Office, sporadic gunshots by hoodlums in some locations in the state, violent supremacy battles amongst miscreants and blockade in some parts of the state, amongst others.
He warned that strident measures may be announced should acts of breach of public safety and security continue.
Abiodun while calling for demonstrators to bring the protests to an end and allow for the full implementation of their demands, he admonished security agents to exercise caution in dealing with the #EndSARS protesters to avoid further loss of lives and properties.
Abiodun who commended the peaceful conduct of the genuine youth protesters in Ogun State , noted that" the original organisers have since realized that the protests had been hijacked, sent out a notice that they have suspended street protests .
The governor therefore called on others still purporting to be protesting to return home “as it is obvious that hoodlums and miscreants have hijacked the lofty idea”.
Abiodun acknowledged the right of the people to protest but regretted that “blockade of highways and other roads, destruction of public and private property, and unfortunate loss of lives are clear deviations from the original intention of the protest.”
The governor who has deployed security men and women to ensure an end to the violence, directed the security team to continue to patrol the major streets to ensure peace and tranquility in the day-to-day activities of citizens.
“I plead with all our public and private hospitals to treat all in need of medical attention brought to their facilities”, the statement added.
“For us, the lives of all citizens and residents of Ogun State matter. We must also recognize that any property destroyed directly diminishes our commonwealth and undermines the momentum of our development. It is our joint responsibility to ensure safety of lives and property and we must all understand that the current state of violence does not do anyone any good."he pleaded.
“As a government, we will continue to ensure the safety of lives and property. We plead with our citizens to go about peacefully and conduct their businesses; and I have specifically instructed the security agencies to protect all law abiding and peace-loving residents and public buildings", the governor assured .
“The people of Ogun State should please report all acts of molestation, breaches of peace or extortion by calling 112. Our Quick Response Squad (QRS) alongside other law enforcement teams are on alert to respond quickly. Once again, appeal to our people to allow peace to reign do not attack law enforcement’’ the statement concluded.
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