Condemnations trail brutalization of peaceful demonstrators at Kwara Govt House
A video footage showing unidentified persons beating distraught women on peaceful demonstration at the Kwara State Government House over the weekend has sparked reactions from Nigerians.
The women were shown lamenting the state of insecurity that has bugged their localities for long, asking Kwara State government to intervene in stopping the abduction of their people by bandis.
A moment later, some men were seen attacking the women with whips and beating them continuously while asking them to leave the Government House gate. Someone was heard telling the men to stop, but they refused.
Reacting on Monday, activist Omoyele Sowore wrote on his Facebook page that “This video of hired thugs attacking women and children protesting peacefully in front of the Kwara State Government House over mass kidnapping and insecurity in their area of the state is one of the most despicable scenes I have ever witnessed at a seat of government. It is especially disturbing that uniformed Nigeria Police Force officers stood by and watched as helpless women protesters were beaten, harassed, and humiliated in broad daylight.
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“I unequivocally condemn Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s intolerance and high-handedness in sanctioning or, at the very leas,t permitting such barbaric acts against citizens exercising their constitutional right to protest. This descent into violence against women and children is unacceptable in any democracy.
“The Nigeria Police Force must immediately identify and sanction the officers who abdicated their duty to protect lives and property. The thugs who carried out this assault must be arrested, prosecuted without delay, and brought to justice. Anything short of this will confirm official complicity
Kwara governor reacted
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq swiftly reacted, saying “I am enraged at a footage showing some hoodlums attacking women protesters near the under-construction Government House gate over the weekend.
“Peaceful protest is a democratic right. Assault on protesters is unacceptable, and that should never have happened.
“The protesters were within their right to express their views. Our principles for the past six years encapsulate decency and respect for democracy, liberty, and order.
“I, therefore, distance myself from the incident as it does not represent our views as a government. I have requested the police to fish out the attackers and bring them to account.
“The government is clearly not resting on strengthening security in the state. Just on Saturday, December 27, I personally led the passing out parade of armed forest guards whose mandate includes flushing out kidnappers and terrorists from our forests, among other investments, to secure our communities. We are launching offensive on the criminals.
“We urge for understanding and support in the campaign against banditry and terrorism of any kind.
Many Nigerians on social media have voiced their displeasure at the incident and called for a thorough investigation and sanction.
