OYO STATE: CDWR Condemns Violent Attack on Protesters, Including TIB Members, in Ibadan
The Protesters were demanding the immediate and safe release of the abducted students and teachers in Oriire IGA.
We Hold the Makinde-Led Government Responsible!
The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR), Oyo State Chapter, condemns in the strongest terms the brutal and unprovoked attack unleashed on peaceful protesters, including members of the Take It Back (TIB) Movement in Ibadan today. The protesters had gathered to demand the immediate and safe release of the abducted students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the attack was allegedly masterminded and orchestrated by state-sponsored thugs reportedly led by the self-acclaimed National President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Matters, Victor Olojede. Over fifteen buses conveying thugs were reportedly mobilized to the protest venue, where they attacked protesters and allegedly shot and injured several individuals. Many protesters are currently nursing various degrees of injuries and have also suffered the loss of personal property. Comrade Kayode Babayomi, Chairman of the AAC in Oyo State, was directly threatened with stabbing by Victor Olojede. who reportedly warned him not to come close.
This shameful attack reportedly took place after the so-called NANS president and his associates, led by Victor Olojede, met with the Governor earlier in the day at the Governor’s Office. This incident further reinforces the growing perception that both the state and federal governments are not prepared to take serious action to secure the immediate release of the abducted students and teachers.
If the Seyi Makinde-led government is genuinely committed to securing the release of the abducted persons, there can be no justification for any of its political appointees being found among those leading thugs to attack citizens who are peacefully protesting in pursuit of the same objective. Such conduct amounts to political banditry and further indicts the state government.
The CDWR therefore calls for investigative panel comprising the Nigeria Police, elected representatives of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to commence an immediate, impartial, and transparent investigation into the attack and to ensure the prosecution of all perpetrators and anyone found to be linked to them, regardless of their position or status. We also demand that Governor Seyi Makinde publicly dissociate his administration from this attack and sanction any appointee found to be complicit.
Furthermore, the Oyo State leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) must openly condemn this assault on democratic rights of citizens and urgently convene a meeting of trade unions and civil society organizations. Such a meeting is necessary to prepare for a statewide day of mass action aimed at compelling governments at all levels to act decisively for the immediate release of the abducted teachers and students and isolating and exposing individuals who are seeking to frustrate such a genuine effort.
Peaceful protest is a fundamental right. To deploy thugs to attack, shoot, and maim individuals or groups who are demanding security and justice for children and teachers is a dangerous descent into repression. We strongly believe that working people and youth will not surrender to intimidation in pursuit of a just cause. We call on workers, students, youth, and the poor masses across Oyo State to prepare for a series of mass action in defence of democratic rights, for safe return of abducted teachers and pupils and to demand that both Oyo state and federal governments fulfil their basic obligation of protecting lives and property of people.
Com. Abiodun Bamigboye
Oyo State CDWR Coordinator
E-mail: [email protected]