Governor Abdulrahman reaffirmed the right of citizens to peaceful protest, noting that violence against demonstrators has no place in a democratic society.
Kwara State Governor Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman has denied any involvement by his administration in the attack on women protesters near the under-construction Government House gate, describing the incident as unacceptable and contrary to his government’s principles.
The governor said this in a statement issued on Monday.
Reacting to a footage of the incident, the governor said, "I am enraged at a footage showing some hoodlums attacking women protesters near the under-construction Government House gate over the weekend."
He stressed that the attack did not reflect the values or conduct of his government.
Governor Abdulrahman reaffirmed the right of citizens to peaceful protest, noting that violence against demonstrators has no place in a democratic society.
"Peaceful protest is a democratic right. Assault on protesters is unacceptable, and that should never have happened," he said.
He further emphasised that the women were well within their rights to express their grievances.
"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," he said.
Distancing his administration from the incident, the governor said it was inconsistent with the values his government stands for.
"I, therefore, distance myself from the incident as it does not represent our views as a government," he stated.
Abdulrahman also disclosed that security agencies have been directed to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
"I have requested the police to fish out the attackers and bring them to account," he said.
While denying any government complicity, the governor highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen security across the state.
"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," he said.
He appealed to residents for cooperation as the state intensifies its security operations.
Background
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that women protesting against worsening insecurity in Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, during weekend were attacked and beaten by thugs linked to the administration of the governor.
The women had converged peacefully in front of the Government House to demand urgent action over sustained attacks by terrorists in their community and the continued captivity of their husbands and children, many of whom they said had been held in kidnappers’ dens for months without rescue.
SaharaReporters gathered that the protest was abruptly disrupted when men wielding canes reportedly emerged from within the Government House premises and descended on the women, beating both young and elderly protesters while chasing them away from the area.
A video obtained by SaharaReporters shows the moment the assailants stormed out, swinging canes and flogging the women as they screamed and fled in panic.
The attack reportedly occurred in the presence of police personnel, who were accused by witnesses of failing to intervene.
In one of the clips, a woman, visibly shaken and crying, narrated how residents of Oke-Ode had been left at the mercy of terrorists, forcing the women to seek government attention as a last resort, only to be assaulted.
“Please help us, they have finished us with kidnappings in Oke-Ode,” she cried.
“We are poor people. We have exhausted all our means to confront this situation. All our efforts have ended. They kidnapped our husbands and our children. Please come to our aid.”
Another woman, whose husband was abducted about a month ago, was seen sobbing uncontrollably as she pleaded for assistance.
“It is one month now since my husband was kidnapped,” she said. “Please help us.”