The Guardian (Nigeria)

#EndSARS: Three Feared Killed In Osogbo

• Oyetola Attacked As Protest Turns Violent • Monarch Visits Bereaved Families • Police Deny Arresting Protesters In Ibadan

- From Rotimi Agboluaje, ( Ibadan) and Timothy Agbor ( Osogbo)

NO fewer than three persons were reportedly killed during the # ENDSARS protest in Osogbo, Osun State .

The State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola and his convoy, were also attacked by suspected armed thugs that stormed the protest ground, when he was addressing protesters. His convoy was severely damaged.

Oyetola and other government officials had joined protesters in the walk from Alekuwodo area to Olaiya junction, where he made attempts to address them.

The protesters demanded that he should tender an apology for failing to have addressed them since the protest began last week. They also urged him to arrest and prosecute ex- SARS officers, who were found culpable of brutality and other human rights abuses.

However, when the governor was finally allowed to speak, Oyetola, who wore a face cap with ENDSARS inscriptio­n, apologised for addressing them late, and assured that their demands would be met.

While still addressing the youths, suspected hoodlums started shooting and hurling stones at him. His security aides immediatel­y whisked him away. Scores of unidentifi­ed protesters were severely injured due to stampede. Three persons were said to have been killed in the fracas. The Guardian saw a lifeless body of a young man, while those injured were lying on the ground.

Confirming the incident, Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Yemisi Opalola, said Police were on top of the situation but could not confirm the number of casualties till after investigat­ion.

Meanwhile, the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi, had visited families of those killed during the protest in the state.

The monarch’s Private Secretary, Mr. Toyin Ajamu, who disclosed this, yesterday, said Oba Oyewumi was represente­d by the Baale Pakiotan of Ogbomosola­nd, Chief Oyetunji Ojo, during the visit.

It would be recalled that Isiaka Jimoh was killed allegedly by the police during the protest.

In a related developmen­t, the Oyo State Police Command, yesterday, denied arresting any protester.

In a statement in Ibadan by the Police Public Relations Officer ( PPRO), Olugbenga Fadeyi, the police said stories trending on social media that the command arrested the protesters were untrue. Fadeyi quoted the commission­er as saying: “The Commission­er of Police, Oyo State Police Command, Nwachukwu, Enwonwu wishes to draw the attention of the good people of Oyo State and the public to unconfirme­d story trending on social media accusing the police of arresting # ENDSARS protesters.

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