The Kwara Development Foundation, KWADEF, a non-profit organization is primarily focused on raising issues pertaining to the development of Kwara State since 20218.
The purpose, according to Dr, Kolawole Afolabi, a Medical Doctor, is to steer the direction of political discourse of the state to issues of “Development and Freedom” at the height of the struggle for the soul of the State.
According to him, the “the collective will and the determination of the Kwarans irrespective of class or religion that propelled the Otoge revolution of 2019 election remains the kernels of the focus of the organisation.
It is in this light that we condemn the brutal, inhumane, and disgraceful assault unleashed Kwarans who staged a peaceful protest at the Kwara State Government House in Ilorin over the worsening insecurity in their communities.
These protesters mostly aged mothers, wives of kidnapped victims, and their children from Oke Ode, Agbeku, Babanla , Adanla and other communities in Ifelodun LG came to Kwara State Government House as a last resort. They came pleading, and begging the government to intervene in securing the release of their loved ones who have been held hostage by bandits for weeks, with outrageous ransom demands running into tens of millions of naira.
However, instead of compassion, reassurance, or even basic engagement, these traumatized citizens were met with violence. More troubling is the fact that armed security operatives, particularly officers of the Nigeria Police Force, were present and watched these assaults happen without lifting a finger to protect the victims
KWADEF condemns the conduct of the Nigeria Police officers on duty at the Government House during this incident. The decision of the police to stand by while innocent, grieving women and children were attacked is a gross betrayal of public trust and a violation of their constitutional duty to protect citizens, not shield criminals and political thugs
“We therefore call on Inspector-General of Police, and relevant government agencies, to immediately identify, investigate, and prosecute all police officers who supervised or allowed this assault to take place. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.”
Meanwhile, the state governor in a statement on Monday said that: “I am enraged at a footage showing some hoodlums attacking women protesters near the under-construction Government House gate over the weekend.
“Peaceful protest is a democratic right. Assault on protesters is unacceptable, and that should never have happened.
“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.
“I, therefore, distance myself from the incident as it does not represent our views as a government.
I have requested the police to fish out the attackers and bring them to account.”
The statement also quoted the governor as saying that ”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 an offensive on the criminals.
“We urge for understanding and support in the campaign against banditry and terrorism of any kind.”
Kwadef however maintained that the government statement appears to be an afterthought.
It added that “if a government official had met with the protesters and engaged them, it would have prevented the despicable acts.
“We advise the government to work harder with all the stakeholders, from federal down to community leaders , to put a permanent end to this menace.”
Kolawole Afolabi
President, KWADEF
