#EndSARS Anniversary Protest: Decisive Sanctions Await Violators — Oyo CP

In the wake of plans towards protests to commemorate EndSARS carried out in 2020 by Nigerians, the Oyo State Police Command has warned that it will not hesitate to use any legitimate means within the ambit of the law to enforce sanity.

The Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko, who spoke through a statement by the command’s spokesman, DSP Adewale Osifeso, on Tuesday, said that the warning became necessary to prevent loss of lives and destruction of private and public property which could come up during such protests.

Onadeko said that the command got information through intelligence that there were clandestine plans by some groups, described as misguided, to embark on large-scale violent protests in parts of the pacesetter state.

“Consequent upon this, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Police Command, CP Ngozi Onadeko, is appealing to individual(s), groups and most importantly architects of these sinister plans, to have a rethink, as the Command would not hesitate to use any legitimate means necessary within the ambit of the law to enforce sanity and prevent needless loss of lives and wanton destruction of private and public properties, including critical government infrastructure which could emanate from the proposed protests,” she stated.

The Commissioner of Police recalled the October 2020 EndSARS incident which she said left a painful trail of sorrow, anguish and pains in the minds of Nigerians and security agencies.

She also directed Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to ensure extensive visibility patrols while the adequate deployment of operational, intelligence and tactical assets would be strategically positioned at every nook and cranny of the state “to complement and neutralise any threat or act(s) capable of truncating the relative calm enjoyed by the citizenry.”

Onadeko enjoined parents, guardians and leaders with influence in religious, educational and traditional capacities to warn their wards not to allow themselves to be used, as violators would be sanctioned and prosecuted.

She urged residents of the state to go about their lawful daily activities, saying that security measures had been put in place to forestall the breakdown of law and order.