Youths, on Wednesday, converged on major streets in Edo
state to mark the first-year anniversary of the EndSARS protest.
In October 2020, Nigerians took to the streets in parts of
the country to protest against police brutality, especially involving officers
of the now-disbanded special anti-robbery squad (SARS).
According to NAN, the youths in Edo converged on the Oba
Ovonramwen Square, popularly called Ring Road, with placards bearing various
inscriptions including demand for “automatic employment” for victims of police
brutality.
They also asked for the immediate implementation of the
report of the judicial panel set up by the state government, and requested that
those still in detention as a result of the 2020 protest should be released
unconditionally.
Security personnel drawn from the police, Department of
State Services (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and
members of local vigilante were on ground.
Members of the public works volunteers (PUWOV) were also
said to be positioned across the state to control traffic.
Stephen Asekhame, one of the youths, told journalists that
his leg was amputated after he was hit by a bullet during the protest in Edo in
2020.
“During the protest last year on the 19th of October, 2020,
we in Auchi decided to hold our own peaceful protest. On that day and during
the protest, soldiers ran into us and I was hit by a bullet that led to the
amputation of my left leg,” he said.
“I was a student then but now I am a graduate and I am
supposed to go for service next Sunday.
“I presented my case before the panel through my lawyer, but
till now, we have not heard anything from the panel.”
Another alleged victim, Miracle Ailenokhoriah, said he was
protesting at the market square in Ekpoma when a policeman shot him.
“Him and other policemen with him started beating me and
they said if I die, I will be buried behind the police station,” he said.
“I was later sent to the hospital where I spent three months
and now we have resorted to traditional treatment. But since then, I have not
been able to stand up.”
Corroborating his narration, his mother, Betty Odiagbe, said they also sent a petition and appeared before the panel but nothing had come out of it.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com