Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, on Monday visited the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, and the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, to protest the killing of one of his supporters by the police in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday.
Fayemi who got to the Force headquarters around 2.15pm, was ushered in to see the IG immediately and after spending about 20 minutes with Abubakar, he told journalists that he lodged a complaint with the IG on the killing of his supporter during the rally in the state capital.
He explained that the IG promised to investigate the incident and take appropriate action against the errant officers, stressing that the rally was peaceful until the police arrived and fired tear gas and live bullets at the people causing the death of one person and injuries to scores of others.
“I have lodged a complaint to the IG, and I believe the IG will look at it dispassionately, he will investigate and take appropriate action, that is the least I expect from the IG.
“I think officers have to be restrained in their conduct, I don’t think any officer is paid by the tax payers to shoot and behave in an irresponsible manner.
“It is just not an assault on the collective cause that we have to deepen this democracy, it is also a denigration of the institution the officer represents. I do not believe the OC, MOPOL ought to have behaved the way he did, he wasn’t professional.”
Fayemi explained that what happened was avoidable, adding that one of the rampaging policemen attempted to disarm some of his security detail in a brazen manner.
The governor said that the rally, which involved the sweeping of streets by All Progressives Congress members, is a traditional, harmless thing usually done by the party anytime the Peoples Democratic Party holds a rally.
Fayemi said, “Anytime there is a rally by the PDP, we come out the next day and sweep, that is our tradition, its a very innocuous, harmless thing, you could see them just sweeping. They are sweeping off whatever dirt remains.
“For me, what is sad is that the loss of lives was avoidable and that is the point I was making to the CP that look, forget the fact that you say you are protecting me, if we could lose a life, innocent life and on top of it, your officers can behave in this irresponsible manner including disarming officers that you have given me, that is not acceptable.
“If a governor is not protected, then ordinary citizens should not even accept the police to act in their interest.”
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