By Suleiman Anyalewechi
In keeping with his earlier promise to carry out an inquest into the circumstances that led to the violent nature of the #EndBadGovernance protest in the State, Governor Abba Yusuf on Monday inaugurated an Investigative Panel.
The Source reports that Kano was the worst hit by the spate of violence, arson, looting and destruction of both public and private properties that characterized much of the day one and two of the 10-day long nationwide protest.
The unmitigated arson, looting and destruction later forced the State authorities to impose an initial 24-hour curfew to contain the situation.
Speaking while empanelling the 14-man Committee at the Government House, Governor Yusuf regretted that the protest which commenced peacefully was hijacked by hoodlums to unleash mayhem on the State.
He noted that the setting up of the Panel is in fulfilment of his promise in the wake of the protest and its attendant destructions to get to the root of the unfortunate turn of events.
“I made a pledge to set up this Commission regarding the senseless destruction of properties and killings of innocent people during the nationwide protest.
“It is on record that I had earlier on, before the protest, at a town hall meeting at the Government House, before all the stakeholders, acknowledged the constitutionality of the planned peaceful protest and also pledged to receive them at the Government House .
“From the beginning of the protest, no single protester had any weapons on him, from where they converged at Gidan Murtala to the Government House .
“These peaceful protesters were received at the gate of the Government House by security agents. But while they were waiting for me to receive them, we had an unfortunate situation with hundreds of other dangerous persons with weapons coming to the gathering, attacking peaceful protesters.
It took the security almost three hours to disperse them before they proceeded to destroy many public buildings, including the NCC -ICT Complex,” Governor Yusuf stated.
According to him, about six High Court Justices had their offices at the High Court Complex with the Audu Bako State Secretariat vandalized.
The Governor reiterated his earlier claim that during the attack on the High Court premises, some vital documents relating to the ongoing prosecution of his sworn political rival, the immediate past Governor of the State, Dr Abdullhi Ganduje over alleged corruption charges were stolen.
While acknowledging the integrity of the Panel members, he charged them to carry out their tasks with utmost sense of courage and fairness.
He noted that even though the duties and scope of work have been defined, the Committee, Governor Yusuf also stated, is at liberty to widen them if the need arises.
He insisted that all those found culpable in whatever ways, should be prosecuted, while those found to be innocent will be freed.
“Things have to change if we have to move this nation forward. We shouldn’t be allowing the killings of innocent people .
“We shouldn’t allow any selfish individuals no matter his position in the country to undermine our peace”, he noted.
In his brief remark, Chairman of the panel, Justice Lawan Wada (rtd) assured that the Commission will be guided by fairness and justice.
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