Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state has commiserated with all victims of the #EndSARS protests which resulted in arson and violence in some parts of the country on Wednesday.
In a statement issued by the commissioner for information, Kingsley Fanwo in Lokoja on Thursday, Governor Bello condemned acts which tend to wane the rights of the people, especially, brutalization.
He saluted the sense of patriotism on the part of Kogi residents “who, in the most civil manner, ensured that the campaign against police brutality didn’t nosedive into an uncontrollable carnage in our dear state.
“Like our compatriots across the nation, our people made known their discontent to police brutality but they listened to the leader of the State who urged caution in the face of the protests.
“The Kogi state government once again thanked the citizens of the state for setting a great example of how to protest and still respect the rights of the people.
“We urge you all to maintain the tempo of peace and harmony in the state as government will continue to work with the Police to ensure better police-people relations.”
He urged the nation to continue to have confidence in President Muhammadu Buhari.
“It is clear that the voice of the leader of the nation, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has reassured our people and reinforced our earlier stance that this administration will reduce to the barest minimum, cases of flagrant violation of the rights of our people by those employed and paid to protect them.
“Mr President’s address has addressed the key issues and it is time for all Nigerians to come off the civil action; stronger and better determined to advance the development of our nation.
“Recent happenings have again, tested our unity as a nation. We have to keep supporting the President’s sincere efforts in making our nation the economic centre of Africa.
“To the youth of this nation, our voices have been heard and the President has already set machinery in motion to ensure our demands are met. The President has urged us to engage the system as our nation will continue to respect the voices of her citizens.
“The Governor, government and people of Kogi State sympathise with those who lost properties and their loved ones in the course of the protests. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” he said.
Governor Bello urged the Police to seize this golden opportunity to undertake a holistic reform as the state government will be at the forefront of making a strong case for improved welfare for security agencies, professionalism and discipline.
