Ogun Police Warn Against Rally by Promoters of Oduduwa Republic
The Ogun State police Command is disturbed about the activities of some people who under the guise of agitating for Oduduwa nation have recently staged a series of public rallies in different parts of the State, and thereby caused serious panic in the minds of the people, and are yet not relenting. The Command is not oblivious of the constitutional rights of citizens to freedom of association and expression; but we however want to caution that these rights should not be exercised to the detriment of other citizens.
It will be recalled that the group had on 21/3/2021 staged a public rally at Isara Remo for the actualization of Oduduwa republic, where they blocked highways and made free-flow of traffic very difficult for other road users. The same group staged another rally in Shagamu on 16/4/2021 where they made an attempt to attack Shagamu police station for no reason. Yet, on 25/4/2021, they held another rally at Ajuwon where in the course of stopping them from distributing inciting letters, policemen and other security agents were jeered at and pelted with missiles. The same group is again planning to hold another mass rally on 1st May, 2021 at Abeokuta, making it the 4th rally in the State in quick succession.
The general public should note that the Command had difficulties in preventing hoodlums from infiltrating and hijacking the earlier rallies and preventing what would have been a major breakdown of law and order and disturbance of public peace. We had also exhibited restraint and absolute calm even in the face of extreme provocations by the organizers of the rallies and their cohorts.
However, it is important to note that the police will not perpetually stand by and watch public conducts of some citizens hold others to the ransom and threaten the corporate existence of the country. The Command is especially worried that if care is not taken, the pains and agonies that similar agitatiants and rallies are presently causing in some parts of the country may be repeated in our very peaceful Ogun State. It is also instructive to note that available intelligence shows that the organizers of these rallies are being sponsored by certain individuals outside the State and the country to destabilize Ogun State.
The Command therefore, wishes to appeal to the leaders of this group to shelve the idea of staging another public rally in any part of the State for now, as such is capable of undermining the relative peace being enjoyed in the entire State.
Consequently, the rally slated for Abeokuta on 1st May, 2021, is viewed by the Command as one too many in the State, and therefore not approved. Parents and guardians are hereby advised to warn their children and wards not to be involved in any of such gathering that may expose them to violence and consequently bring them on a collision course with the security agencies. The understanding and cooperation of all the good people of Ogun State, including the organizers of the rallies, is hereby solicited by the Command and will be highly appreciated, please.
DSP ABIMBOLA OYEYEMI
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE,
OGUN STATE COMMAND
