The protesters were arrested at the Ojoo area of Ibadan, the state capital around 2am on November 13, 2020, and their trial had been continually frustrated by the police, court and Makinde’s administration.
Human rights and pro-democracy group, Take-It-Back Movement (TIB), Oyo State chapter, has asked the state governor, Seyi Makinde, and the Nigeria Police Force to release youths arrested over #EndSARS protest in 2020.
The protesters were arrested at the Ojoo area of Ibadan, the state capital around 2am on November 13, 2020, and their trial had been continually frustrated by the police, court and Makinde’s administration.
TIB in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Solomon Emiola, and Secretary, Dimeji Salako, asked the governor to ensure justice was given to the innocent protesters held in prison for almost two years now.
The statement read, “Today we received the news that Governor Seyi Makinde will be commissioning the reconstruction of Ojoo Police Station Ibadan, the station that was burnt by angry area boys who were reacting to the innocent killing of youths at that same Ojoo during the EndSARS protests in October 2020.
“The Take It Back Movement (TIB) Oyo State is not in support of destruction of private properties but we frown at the way the Oyo State government and the judiciary have been keeping innocent EndSARS protesters in prison while they left the real culprits walking free.
“While Justice has not been served the reconstruction of the police station where the killings took place is about to start.
“The TIB movement condemns totally the non-challant attitude of the state government led by Gov Seyi Makinde towards the Oyo11 EndSARS protesters in prison.
“In a society where innocents get imprisoned while criminals walk free crime will always thrive in such a society. With this kind of act there are possible chances that the station can be burnt again at the slightest provocation by the criminal elements who assume that they can get away with anything.
“One more time as a movement we are not asking the state government and the Nigerian police not to reconstruct Ojoo Police Station but while they are doing the reconstruction they should ensure Justice is given to the innocent protesters held in prison for almost two years now. This is our stand.”