RESIDENTS of Egbe-Idimu Local Council Development Area yesterday took a walk from Cele Bridge in Egbe to Ejigbo LCDA, joined other protesters on Ikotun Road and marched to Isolo Secretariat to lend their voice in demanding an end to police brutality and extrajudicial killings in the State. Alimosho protesters already stormed Egbeda-Akowonjo on Tuesday, while another group marched to Iyana Ipaja yesterday.
With this development, Isolo LCDA has been pulled by the influence of Alimosho to join in the ongoing nationwide protests against SARS, as protesters stormed the council secretariat to press home their demand for a reformed Nigeria Police.
The protesters who trekked long distances, arrived the Council Secretariat on motor-bikes, tricycles, cars and buses at about 2.00 pm, many marching from as far as Cele Egbe in Alimosho with placards.
Protesters arriving from different locations at the Secretariat
They were received by the Secretary to the Local Government (SLG) Hon Emmanuel K. Olojede on behalf of the Executive Chairman, Hon Shamsudeen Abiodun Olaleye, who was unavoidably absent from the office.
Hon. Olojede addressing protesters outside the Secretariat
In his address to the protesters, Hon Olojede conveyed the council chairman's thoughts on the ongoing protests, noting that it would help to check the excesses of policemen in line of duty.
"The Executive Chairman's thoughts are with you and the cause you are pursuing. It is the right of every Nigerian to air his view on how he is being ruled and hold government accountable for their actions.
"It is an integral part of our democratic process to allow dissenting voices on government actions and inactions for as long it is done in a civilised manner.
"Therefore, the Executive Chairman would like to align himself with the position of our State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu who has personally conveyed the messages and demands of the #EndSARS campaigners to President Muhammadu Buhari, who has since taken up the matter with the police authorities.
"Hence, the Council Chairman is with you on this for as long as you conduct the protests in a peaceful manner devoid of violence and thuggery and that was why he has directed all the five DPOs in the council areas to provide security for the protesters by ensuring that it is not hijacked by hoodlums," Olojede said.
