Expose Criminals Among You To End Police Brutality – Ekiti Gov Advises Students

By Ayodele Oni

Following complaints from students of brutality by security agents in the state, Ekiti State Government has brokered peace, urging synergy between them.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji called for a robust synergy between security agencies operating in the State and youths, describing this as a panacea to simmering crises emanating from alleged brutality.

Oyebanji spoke in Ado Ekiti, on Wednesday, during a Youth, Students and Security Stakeholders’ Engagement convened by the Ministry of Youth Development to foster synergy among stakeholders on security.

Specifically, the stakeholders’ meeting was convened to brainstorm and nip in the bud, some of the alleged harassments of youths and students in Ekiti in recent time, as catalogued by a former student leader, Felix Olanrewaju and other representatives, before it snowballs to anarchy.

To prevent incidence of protest against security agencies in Ekiti as threatened by students and youths, Oyebanji, represented by the Special Adviser on Security Matters, Brig. Gen Ebenezer Ogundana, urged the students to perceive the security agencies as friends and partners and help to expose criminals among their ranks to safeguard the state.

The governor urged the representatives of the youths and students to review activities on the streets and campuses, to ensure that those posing as security threats are exposed and treated with the long arm of the law.

Applauding the security for being zealous about maintenance of relative peace being enjoyed in Ekiti, Oyebanji, however, assured that his government won’t look on and allow youth and students to be harassed under any guise.

“Let the students and youths leaders go and tell their colleagues to always respect the law, this is the only way to build a just and violence free society. Let us live together as family members. We all know the criminals among us, try and expose them.

“We know that not all the students and youth in Ekiti are criminals, but if the bad ones are not pointed out and used as scapegoats, then you will continue to suffer unduly. It is not right for you to shield criminals.”

Giving an assurance of partnership among stakeholders to rid Ekiti of criminals, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adeniran Akinwale, said his personnel have a statutory duty to protect lives and property and ward off criminals from the state, saying they shall discharge the duty dispassionately.

“Let us be law abiding wherever we are. Let us train some of our students and youths to be really good future leaders.

“Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. I am giving you an assurance, any of my personnel who misbehaves would not be spared. Don’t condemn the police, but try and understand us.

“Be bold enough to resolve grievances. If you confront the police, you are not helping yourselves. I came here with a purpose, which is to ensure security of lives and property. If you notice any infraction, try and tell us and justice shall be done”.

The Director, Department of State Services, (DSS) in Ekiti State, Dr. Bolatito Olufemi, urged the youths to form a united front with security stakeholders to expose criminals among them, expressing sadness that many of the productive population are involved in drug peddling, internet fraud, cultism, robbery and banditry.