FUOYE Killings: Fayemi Orders Police To Fish Out Killer Cops

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has demanded that the Commissioner of Police in the state to fish out the policemen responsible for the killing of two students of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti during a protest last Tuesday.

Fayemi in a state-wide broadcast on Sunday, directed the Police to “urgently commence an investigation into the circumstances that led to the unfortunate shooting incident with a view to identifying possible culprits within and outside the Force.”

The Governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi and her entourage were caught up in the violent protest, which allegedly claimed the lives of the students, while several others sustained injuries.

Ekiti State Helmsman said though he could not comment much on the incident in view of ongoing investigations, he had no constraints expressing his sad feeling.

“Having heard from all parties to the incident, it is pertinent that I now personally convey my deeply felt sorrow for the loss of two promising young lives and for those who suffered injuries.

“To be sure, our government prides itself on its strict adherence to the rule of law. The right of citizens to protest on any issue relating to governmental actions or inactions is a fundamental component of our good governance agenda.

“We could not therefore under any circumstances have directed that deadly force be used on any of our citizens freely expressing their right to protest.

“Even before the conclusion of the investigations into this matter, we have taken a number of steps; a high level government delegation has visited the families of the deceased. This will not be a one-off intervention. We will stand firmly with, and support the families at this time.

“Those persons with varying degrees of injuries will also be given support whilst their hospital expenses will be defrayed by government”, Fayemi said.

The governor, while appealing for calm and caution, warns that “no persons or group should attempt to use this tragic incident to destabilise the peace and progress of Ekiti State. It is time for sober reflection as we mourn the dead and care for the wounded.

“Any death is a tragedy. Any shooting arising from legitimate protests diminishes our fledgling democratic dispensation and calls to question our commitment to fundamental human rights.

He added the the issue that led to the protest, which is the epileptic power supply to the institution are being addressed.

The governor stated; “The issue that led to the protest has been the subject of intense disagreement and negotiations with BEDC since I became Governor. Last week, my Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities was still in Benin to see BEDC management on the matter of inadequate and inconsistent supply of electricity in Ekiti State.

“Though Governors do not have any control over privatised power distribution companies, the four Governors from the states covered by the Benin DISCO have consistently expressed dissatisfaction with the services of BEDC and taken the matter up with the Vice President who chairs the Privatisation Council.

“In addition to this, I have been talking to the Rural Electrification Agency about including FUOYE in the next round of their University Electrification Project.”

The governor said he had told the police authorities to in the future “explore the use of non-lethal rubber bullets in managing public protests and the Nigerian Governors Forum will take this up at the highest levels in government.”