The
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Operations, Habilal Joshak, has explained
the role of his officers in the harassment of the state governor, Ayo Fayose,
on Wednesday.
Mr Fayose was teargassed and harassed by armed
police officers who had blocked the entrance to the government house and
prevented a rally of the Peoples Democratic Party from holding, witnesses say.
It was gathered that Mr Fayose and his
supporters were making their way to the venue of the rally by the entrance of
the government house when they were stopped by the security men.
The ensuing argument resulted to shooting of
tear gas causing the governor to suffocate.
His supporters were also forcefully dispersed,
just as some were arrested.
But Mr Joshak said no rally would be allowed
any more in the state unless expressly approved by the police.
He denied blocking the entrance o the
governor’s office, saying only the road from Fajuyi to the state secretariat was
blocked.
“We are not here to usurp the authority of
Governor Fayose. We are not here to rubbish him because he represents the
people,” said Mr Joshak.
“But we are not going to allow any unauthorised
rally that can trigger violence in the state. You can see that the state is
tensed up.
“As law enforcement agent, we must be proactive
and take actions that can prevent crisis rather than trying to quell it after
it might have broken out.”
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