BY AYO ESAN
GOVERNOR Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has pledged that the state will compensate families of policemen who lost their lives during the #EndSARS protests, which were hijacked by hoodlums recently.
The governor, who stated this while speaking at the Oyo State Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force, Eleyele, Ibadan, said that the victims’ families would be compensated from the N500million fund already set aside to compensate victims of police brutality and injustice.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Taiwo Adisa, said the governor also commiserated with officers and men of the Police Command over the loss of their officers as well as the destruction of a number of structures and equipment.
He noted that the state government would not leave the Police to walk alone, adding that it would continue to work together with the Force to make Oyo State safe and secure for residents.
He also urged the Police to put the experience of the last few weeks behind them and join hands with the government to rebuild the nation and create a better society.
He maintained that the cooperation of the Police was needed to bring to book arsonists, anarchists and killers, stating that the government and the people of Oyo State were solidly behind them and would work together with them to make the state better.
The governor said, “I announced that the government has set up an initial N500m Victim Compensation Fund. I made the announcement last week and I want to say that the families of the policemen in Oyo State who were extrajudicially killed will be part of those to be compensated in the fund. And I also want to say that may the souls of the departed colleagues rest in peace.
“The Police are a very important part of our community. My prayer is that things will get better with our country, state and Nigerian Police Force. Things will get better with Oyo State Police Command and it will get better with us as individuals. I can stand before you to say that not every member of the Police is bad. So, the government and the people of Oyo State are with you.
“If we work together to create a better society, you also are coming to enjoy that better society. We must all join hands to make our society better. It is time to put everything that has happened behind us and work towards nation-building. That I said I support the protest does not mean I am against you. I am for the protection of everyone’s right, including the right of the officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force.
“So, we need your cooperation to ensure that arsonists, anarchists are brought to book. And I am here to work with you to make the burden you are carrying very light.”
The governor added that the state government would undertake the rebuilding of all burnt down and destroyed stations as well as take care of all logistics as contained in a document presented to him by the Commissioner of Police, Nwachukwu Enwowu, noting that all requests by the Police to make them comfortable in their places of work would be granted by the state.