Terrorism: Afenifere frowns on attack against protesting women in Kwara

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has frowned at the reported attack on women who were at the gate of the Kwara State Government House on a Save Our Soul, SOS mission.

A statement by the organisation’s national publicity secretary, Jare Ajayi, maintained that citizens have an inalienable right to call the attention of government to their plight so long as such is done in a peaceful manner.

He added that the Saturday attack on Kasuwan Daji in Niger State, like many other similar attacks “saddens our heart coming at a time when terrorism is expected to be tamed.”

DAILY POST reports that some women and children from Oke-Ode, Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State went to the Kwara State Government House in Ilorin, the state capital to plead that the state government come to their rescue.

But according to a viral video, the protesters were flogged by perceived thugs near the entrance of the Government House.

The state Police spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi confirmed the incident and said that it is being investigated.

Reports also indicated that a similar thing occurred in Kabba where some people gathered to express their displeasure over the incessant banditry in the Kabba-Bunu axis and Okun speaking area of Kogi state.

Reacting, Afenifere condemned the attack, stating that protesters have the right to call the attention of government to their plight, “especially since they were not seen with any dangerous weapon”.

“It is noteworthy that Governor Abdulrasaq has not only distanced himself from the unfortunate incident but went further to call on the police to ‘find the attackers and bring them to account’.

“The incident occurred in broad daylight in front of the Government House that certainly has security personnel. And it lasted for a while.

“What baffles the mind here is that for the whole of the period of the incident, the women could not be protected and their attackers apprehended. Would the situation have been the same were the attackers came with ammunitions to wreck havoc in the Government House? For the attackers not to have been arrested raises a lot of questions”, the statement added.

Terrorism: Afenifere frowns on attack against protesting women in Kwara