Five injured as protesters beat Osun government workers

No fewer than five persons sustained injuries during a wild protest in Abere over demolition of some private building structures located opposite the State Secretariat.

The protest saw youths from Ede tripping out to protest alleged ‘undue’ demolition of buildings and descend on the government workers and beat them silly.

The affected buildings had been marked for demolition by the state Ministry of environment for the construction of Mega station but the owners kicked against the move.

The community insisted that the past administration of Olagunsoye Oyinlola had spared those houses and agreement signed to that effect.

They extended surprise that government could stand up again to start the demolition of the existing structures in the area.

The protesting youths made bon fire directly opposite the main gate of the state government and caused traffic jamb for hours before the violence was calm down by security operatives.

The secretary of Ede Descendant Union, Mr. Bashir Oyedemi said that the matter had been on for a very long time when Oyinlola administration served demolition notice and upon intervention the buildings were spared and additional 83acres of land was allocated to the community for future development.

Oyedemi noted that those house had been at the location before the allocation of the state secretariat to the area adding that since government is a continuum, the community don’t expect change of heart from the government.

He said representation had been made to Governor Rauf Aregbesola who was not in the country presently and had assured that he would look into it when he return to the state.

The State commissioner of Police, Mr. Fimihan Adeoye and the Assistant Inspector of Police (AIG) zone 11, Mr. Onoh Okafor visited the scene and appealed to the protesters for calm urging them not to take laws into their hands.

Hon. Debo Akanbi, member of the state house of assembly had prevailed on the youths to maintain calm and allow peace to reign.

Also speaking, a chieftain of APC, Alhaji Sule Alao had called on the state government to restrain the government officials that the state need not communal clash now and urged all to maintain law and order.