Ekiti: Police Command Punctures Claim Of Insecurity By Students Body, Says Attempt To Blackmail Government

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Police Command has faulted claim by Federation of Ekiti State Students Union, (FESSU) over security situation in the state, describing it as an attempt to blackmail the State Government.

Command spokesman, Sunday Abutu, in a statement on Wednesday said that the students body resorted to blackmail because the State Government did not yeild to their financial request.

The statement stated that  “The attention of Ekiti State Police Command has been drawn to a correspondence released by the Federation of Ekiti State Student’s Union (FESSU) National body notifying their members of a change of venue for their National Congress from Ekiti State to Kwara State due to an observed security situation.

“The Command is not moved by this false, ill-conceived, unreasonable, politically motivated and selfish statement, as it is evident through available records that Ekiti State remains one of the safest States in the country till date.

“It would be recalled that sometime in August, 2023, the president of the same Union (FESSU), Mr. Abel Adewale Ajibade, in company of some of his executives paid a courtesy visit to the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police in his office where he gave so much accolades to the CP and the entire Command for the dogged and effective policing that has kept Ekiti State peaceful and safe.

“The President however, expressed their anger concerning how the Ekiti State Government has not been responding to their financial and other extraneous demands to support their members.

“He further stated that their members will embark on street protest or find alternative means of getting the attention of the State Government if nothing is done concerning their spurious and unrealistic demands.

“The Commissioner advised the team not to take laws into their hands rather, they should go through the right channel if they think they have a genuine case.

“It is therefore most ridiculous and patently mischievous for the architects of this falsehood to think this is the best way to get the attention of the government, not considering the negative implications it will have on the citizens and the entire State. The state will not in anyway succumb to cheap blackmail.

“The Command wishes to reiterate that the State is safe and never under any security threat as claimed by the organisers of this year’s FESSU National Congress.

“The Command implores the general public to disregard the misleading information as it will continue to work assiduously with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the peaceful atmosphere currently being enjoyed in the State is sustained.”