..Urges Osun govt, security operatives to be on alert
…As govt orders extensive investigation into incident
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
A socio-political group, the Osun Shall Rise Again (OSRA) on Sunday raised the alarm of the plot to disrupt the peace of Osun state over the alleged killing of one Afolabi Abiola by men of the state Police Command.
A statement signed by the group Chairman and Secretary, Lanre Akeju Saheed Bakare respectively said elements of the RevolutionNow are planning a protest.
The group, which condemned in totality the alleged extra-judicial killing of Afolabi Abiola by yet to be identified policemen of the Osun State Command, also lauded Osun State Government for its proactive steps in taking the decision to show interest in the matter and appealed for calm.
The group insisted that protest over the death of Abiola is not needed, adding that it is willing to support any legitimate agitation by Osun youths.
The group, however, noted that such agitation must not have political colouration or driven by criminal elements.
According to the statement, “We at Osun Shall Rise Again, OSRA, a socio-political group, are committed to the peace, growth and development of Osun. We shall therefore be willing to stake all that we have to defend our State and its people.
“We condemn in total the alleged extra-judicial killing of a promising young man, Afolabi Abiola by some police men of the Osun State Command.
“While commending the Osun State Government for its proactive steps in taking the decision to show interest in the matter and appealed for calm, we make bold to say it must resist any attempt by some discredited politicians and a few mischief makers that want to profit from the sad incident, from hijacking the situation.
“Already, we have reliably gathered that elements of the Revolution Now who take delight in destroying public properties and infrastructure under the cover of protest are planning a political protest under the guise of press for justice for the late the Afolabi Abiola.
“We decided to raise this alarm to intimate security operatives and the Government on the plot by these crisis merchants masquerading as rights activists.
“While we condemn the death of our brother, Afolabi Abiola, we appeal to Osun youths to exercise patience and wait for the outcome of the investigations being carried out on the matter. They must not lend themselves as willing tools to elements of Revolution Now in Osun and beyond, who are bent on causing mayhem in our dear State.
“We are therefore calling on heads of security agencies in Osun to take proactive measures to avert mayhem in Osun. Although, the protest is being originally planned for Monday, in Osogbo, security operatives must however be on the lookout for Ilesa, Ede and Ile-Ife as these mischief makers may shift to any of these places to stage a protest that could cause breakdown of law and order.
“We do not need any protest now, especially one coordinated by elements of Revolution Now. We shall be willing to support any legitimate agitation by Osun youths, but such agitation must not have political colouration or driven by criminal elements and elements within the Revolution Now whose motives and objectives are well known to Nigerians. We must not give any individual or group the chance to disrupt the peace we enjoy in Osun.”
Meanwhile, the state Government has called for calm, saying the extensive investigation has been ordered into the reported death.
The government expressed deep concern over the report of the death of a young man identified as Afolabi Abiola, who was allegedly arrested and shot in the leg by men of the Nigerian Police.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode, assured all parties involved that the government had intervened and would ensure that the incident does not lead to further complications.
According to statement, “The government is appealing to the families and associates of the deceased not to take matters into their hands by hurting more people or destroying properties.
“We implore our citizens to trust the government to get to the root of this incident. We cannot right a wrong by giving room for more wrongs. Understandably, all parties involved are tense and raring to vent their anger but the matter at hand can only be resolved if we all work together and not against one another.
“The Oyetola-led administration will continue to deliver on his promise to keep the residents and citizens of Osun safe. We will do everything possible to ensure peace and tranquility. We implore all concerned to join hands with the government so we can reach an amicable resolution devoid of breakdown of law and order,” the statement read.