Kwara Gov Escapes Attack As Protests Continue
Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed
on Tuesday narrowly escaped being attacked by angry mob as protests
continued in Ilorin, the state capital.
The
protesters also prevented the governor from inaugurating some projects
in commemoration of his administration’s two years in office.
The protest started on Monday following the shooting of a Kwara State Polytechnic student by a bullion van police escort.
The policeman was said to be clearing the way for a bullion van when a stray bullet from his gun hit the student.
However, on Tuesday, our correspondent learnt that the governor was on his way to inaugurate a road project when information reached him that the protesters had burnt one of his advance cars, Pilot 06, at Mubo Street, near Maraba Junction.
The protesters also frustrated the inauguration of a road project at Kulende- Royal Valley Estate as they chased away residents and guests, who gathered for the ceremony.
They reportedly vandalised some vehicles and valuables.
The protesters, who took security operatives unawares, made bonfire along Maraba, Muritala Road, Mubo Road, Post Office Round About, Challenge Roundabout and Unity Road.
The protest paralysed business activities in the capital city for many hours as banks, other corporate organisations and shop owners hurriedly shut their premises for fear of attack.
Police patrol teams later went round some of the troubled spots and dispersed the protesters.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Alhaji Mohammed Lade, on Tuesday, announced the closure of the polytechnic.
He also explained that the bullet victim, Ahmed Dayo, was not dead but was responding to treatment.
In a related development, the state government appealed to the protesters to remain calm and avoid any further action capable of disrupting peace and order in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government, Sola Gold, who made the appeal, described the reported shooting of Dayo as “unfortunate”.
Calling on the protesters to maintain the peace, the SSG said the police had commenced disciplinary proceedings against the trigger-happy cop.
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The protest started on Monday following the shooting of a Kwara State Polytechnic student by a bullion van police escort.
The policeman was said to be clearing the way for a bullion van when a stray bullet from his gun hit the student.
However, on Tuesday, our correspondent learnt that the governor was on his way to inaugurate a road project when information reached him that the protesters had burnt one of his advance cars, Pilot 06, at Mubo Street, near Maraba Junction.
The protesters also frustrated the inauguration of a road project at Kulende- Royal Valley Estate as they chased away residents and guests, who gathered for the ceremony.
They reportedly vandalised some vehicles and valuables.
The protesters, who took security operatives unawares, made bonfire along Maraba, Muritala Road, Mubo Road, Post Office Round About, Challenge Roundabout and Unity Road.
The protest paralysed business activities in the capital city for many hours as banks, other corporate organisations and shop owners hurriedly shut their premises for fear of attack.
Police patrol teams later went round some of the troubled spots and dispersed the protesters.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Alhaji Mohammed Lade, on Tuesday, announced the closure of the polytechnic.
He also explained that the bullet victim, Ahmed Dayo, was not dead but was responding to treatment.
In a related development, the state government appealed to the protesters to remain calm and avoid any further action capable of disrupting peace and order in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government, Sola Gold, who made the appeal, described the reported shooting of Dayo as “unfortunate”.
Calling on the protesters to maintain the peace, the SSG said the police had commenced disciplinary proceedings against the trigger-happy cop.
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