Gov Seyi Makinde deploys ‘Operation Burst’ to protect genuine protesters; says there has been no case of disruption of peaceful protest in Oyo State

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has addressed the current situation surrounding the ongoing #EndSARS protests as thugs and hoodlums have taken to the streets to cause havoc in the state.

In a televised broadcast on Tuesday, October 20, the governor confirmed that there has been no case of disruption of the #EndSARS peaceful protest in Oyo state, but noted that thugs and hoodlums have taken advantage of the situation to extort and cause havoc. 

He, therefore, disclosed that members of Operation Burst have been deployed to various hotspots in Ibadan to restore normalcy and protect genuine #EndSARS protesters as they carry on their protests.

Governor Makinde also directed that all schools in Ibadan should be closed from Wednesday, October 21, for the rest of this week, with the situation to be reviewed on Friday, October 23, 2020. 

Read the full statement below.

My Dear People of Oyo State,

I address you at this time to talk about some of the issues that have been thrown up by the End SARS protests in Oyo State. I have always said that peaceful protests are an important part of our democratic process, and no one should be harassed or brutalised for protesting. For this reason, we deployed members of Operation Burst to protect protesters. And we are happy to report that there have been no cases of disruptions of protest grounds in Oyo State since they started work.

However, the past two days have seen a new dimension to the ongoing protests. Thugs and hoodlums have taken advantage of the situation to perpetrate uncivil acts and harass citizens who are going about their day-to-day activities. Some thugs are going as far as forcing people who have businesses open to close shop and join in the protests. We know these are criminal elements. And so, as a state, we must act to protect the citizenry.

Therefore, we are deploying members of Operation Burst to various hotspots in Ibadan to arrest the situation and restore normalcy. The members of the team will continue to protect genuine protesters and their right to protest. But we can not allow persons with ulterior motives to hijack the protests.

We remain committed to the process of meeting the demands of these protests. Already, as promised, the Director of Public Prosecution, Ministry of Justice, Oyo State, has withdrawn cases against End SARS protesters, and those in custody have been released.

Also, the Oyo State Government has set up platforms for reporting past and present incidents of police brutality and injustice. This will naturally pave the way for the next steps in our quest to get justice for the victims. I urge the good people of Oyo State to trust the process that we have set up and rest assured that every case will be pursued to a logical conclusion.

I have directed that all schools in Ibadan, should be closed from tomorrow, Wednesday, October 21 2020 for the rest of this week. The situation will be reviewed on Friday, October 23 2020, and then further directives will be given.

Please call 615 should anyone attempt to disrupt your legitimate business activities.

We will continue to seek ways to engage with peaceful protesters. Our plan is that in the shortest possible time, we can finally say the days of large-scale and wanton police brutality and injustice is a thing of the past. Let me also use this opportunity to call on members of the Nigeria Police Force to remain professional in the discharge of their duties as they will be held responsible for their actions.

Good bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

God bless Oyo State.