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Jimoh Isiaka: Martyr of the #EndSARS protests
By John Eche
The #EndSARS protests taking place across Nigeria claimed the life of Jimoh Isiaka, also known as Isiaq Aliu on Saturday.
The martyr of the struggle of young Nigerians for a better system of policing in the country was allegedly felled while being part of a peaceful procession demanding the scrapping of the anti-crime outfit that has since come to be associated with incidents of police brutality.
He reportedly hailed from Ogiri Compound, Ita Alasa, Ogbomosho, Oyo State. Incidentally, the current Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare equally hails from Ogbomosho.
Young Nigerians and other citizens and foreigners have since joined in the protests which have been simultaneously taking place on social media and on the streets of several Nigerian cities.
In his response to the incident, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde tweeted:
‘Seyi Makinde
@seyiamakinde
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Replying to
@seyiamakinde
I call on all residents of Oyo State to please remain calm. I also call on the Police to allow residents of Oyo State protest peacefully without fear of being assaulted.
Seyi Makinde
@seyiamakinde
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1h
Again, I express my deepest sympathies to the family of Jimoh Isiaka, may his soul rest in peace.’
In the fuller text of the statement made by the governor, he went further to put the crisis in context:
‘The ENDSARS protests are a strong indicator of a systemic failure. It is a failure on the part of those who have been constitutionally empowered to protect the citizens. It again calls into question why State Governors are called Chief Security Officers of their state whereas, they do not have the necessary powers to control the police force.’
Until his death, Isiaka who hails from Ogbomosho in Oyo State, was a student.
He has presently been buried.
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