The Ekiti state police command has revealed that it has deployed more security operatives to strategic government offices in the state to forestall possible invasion of the premises by Yoruba secessionist groups.
It would be recalled that some group of individuals under the guise of Yoruba nation agitators invaded the premises of the Oyo state House of Assembly on Saturday to take over the place before they were subdued by a combined team of security agencies.
Speaking on Sunday, the Commissioner of Police in Ekiti state, Kunle Akinwale said the command was aware of Saturday’s event in Oyo state and had mobilised its tactical team to the government house and offices including the state House of Assembly.
The CP said, “The issue is that, if it can happen in Oyo state, it can happen anywhere. We are fully on the ground here in Ekiti and we have beefed up security already but the only thing is that we don’t want to create any panic in the state through massive deployment.
“But I can tell you that we have deployed to strategic areas and our men on surveillance and intelligence gathering are already on the field and they are monitoring what is going on. So, there is no cause for alarm.”
On his part, the commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun said that all security agencies in the state have been alerted on the development, expressing optimism that an event of such would not be allowed in Ekiti state.
According to Olatunbosun, ”As a government, we are ensuring the security of lives and property for citizens and the security agencies are up to the task but we don’t envisage such things here in Ekiti. We are civilized people and under democratic rules, people have the right of opinion, right of association and right of expression but every form of right has its own limits as well.
“My only appeal to people is that everybody should comport themselves within the ambit of the rule of law and ensure we did not break any constitutional provisions.
“People of Ekiti should go about their lawful businesses without any form of fear, because the governor, Biodun Oyebanji is here to serve the people and to ensure that people do their legitimate businesses without any form of harassment and intimidation. We value our virtues here,” he reiterated. (Tribune)