‘I am Your Ambassador’, Kogi Governor Grants #EndSARS Protesters Entry into Govt House
As the #EndSARS movement spread to Kogi state, hundreds of youths staged a peaceful protest in Lokoja on Wednesday alleging that government was not sincere with the scrapping of the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) as some of the operatives are still tormenting residents of the state.
The spokepersons of the group, Ben Ajewole, David Olubiojo and Anate Adams who spoke differently said President Muhammadu Buhari has failed the nation as he pretended not to know the series of atrocities SARS committed against lawful Nigerians.
The youths gathered in front of the Government House in Lokoja and demanded to see Governor Yahaya Bello.
While acknowledging that the state governor pleaded yesterday for the youths to be calm, they alleged the same SARS operatives in their full jackets and official vehicle invaded the Kogi State University, Anyigba yesterday and beat some students black and blue.
They alleged that the SARS operatives, in spite of pleadings, collected the sum of ₦100,000 from one of the students while some when forcefully taken to the Automated Teller Machine to collect various sums of money from them before they could leave them
The protesters also alleged that in spite of the disbandment, some of the operatives are still on some major highways in Kogi, especially Obajana- Kabba and Anyigba-Lokoja roads, extorting money from motorists while their main office in Lokoja is still seen operating.
The protesters said the scrapping of SARS have been carried out since 2017 by mere pronouncement without full enforcement and urged President Buhari to overhaul the entire police force.
Efforts by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Abdulkarim Jamiu Asuku, to plead with them Governor Bello was busy with the weekly state executive council meeting fell on deaf ears.
The protesters insisted they will not vacate the front of the government house until the Governor addresses them.
However, when Governor Bello was briefed, he granted the protesters entrance into the government house.
The Governor assured them of his support but appealed to the protesting youths to give President Buhari a benefit of doubt.
“Welcome to your house. You have won the war, don’t lose the battle. I am one of you and your ambassador in government. The President has made pronouncements and he will honor his words. He is a man of integrity. Let us all trust him,” he appealed to the protesters.
