Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has commended the youths in the state for shunning violence and looting during the #ENDSARS protests which rocked the country for almost two weeks.
The governor gave the commendation in a statement released in Abeokuta by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin.
The governor equally commiserated with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the orgy of violence that greeted the protests.
While he said protests were a legitimate fundamental right, Governor Abiodun noted that it was, however, painful “that the #ENDSARS protest was later hijacked by hoodlums and miscreants who did not share the same ideals as the original conveners of the well intended protest.”
Commending the youth in the state for the orderly manner in which they conducted themselves, “despite overwhelming evidence that there were infiltrators from outside the state,” the governor said they have earned national accolades for the largely peaceful manner they conducted themselves.
He also commended the security agencies; Royal Fathers; Religious Leaders; and Community Leaders; “for their participation in the continuous engagement and moral suasion with the youth.”
He said this had been largely responsible for the relative peace witnessed across the state, while he promised “that his administration would continue to ensure the safety of lives and properties, urging the citizens to go about their businesses peacefully.”
Governor Abiodun said he had inaugurated the state panel of enquiry and the State Human Rights Complaints’ Report portal among others, calling those who had suffered police brutality or family members of victims of such brutality should take full advantage of these windows to seek redress and possible compensation.
