Osun State Government has described the attack at the #EndSARS protests in Osogbo as a street coup to take out Governor Gboyega Oyetola, his Deputy and Secretary to the State Government, all of whom were exposed during the protest and had to be smuggled into vehicles for their safety.
This is the position of the State Government in the statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Funke Egbemode.
The Commissioner who was also at the scene of the incident, said the attack was beyond the #EndSARS protest, but a premeditated and stage-managed attempt to take the Governor.
According to her, Governor Oyetola had joined protesters in the walk from Alekuwodo area to Olaiya Junction, singing with them and promising them that their demands would be looked into. He assured them of his support, saying peaceful agitations were a part of the democratic process.
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However, while still addressing the youths, the armed men and women started shooting and hurling stones at the Governor’s vehicle.
She added that the #EndSARS protests have been going on in the State for some days now, and there had been no attack on any government official since the beginning of the protest.
The statement says Saturday’s attack however “changed the narrative. It was not a spontaneous attempt. The attackers had it all planned. They had guns and other weapons”.
Egbemde maintained that it was a woman who smashed the windscreen of the vehicle of the Secretary to the State Government, Wole Oyebamiji where she was also sitted.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
