Ekiti orders investigation to alleged attacks on citizen’s car in row with Governor’s Convoy

Ekiti orders investigation to alleged attacks on citizen’s car in row with Governor’s Convoy

Expert says victim insensitive to VIP global protection best practices

• By Bolu Adelugba

The Ekiti State Government has ordered full investigations into alleged attack on a car belonging to a citizen by the convoy of the State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

In a statement on Sunday, made available to Irohinoodua the State Government said it was not aware of any attack done by his the Governor’s convoy to any car or individual.

The statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode denied the Governor has knowledge of the alleged assault on a motorist, identified as Dayo Oshituyi in Akure, Ondo State, a few days ago.

Oshituyi posted video clip indicating the State Governor’s convoy of damage to his car.

Oyebode said the Governor has directed an immediate investigation of the event to establish what actually happened.

“We empathise with the victim and affirm our belief that no citizen should suffer any form of brutality in contravention of extant laws. While the allegation is currently being investigated by the State Government and relevant security agencies, it is however important to state clearly that the Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi is not aware of the incident and cannot be party to any form of assault on a citizen. This is contrary to the allegation that the Governor witnessed the alleged brutalisation of Mr Oshituyi.”

He said to get to the root of the matter therefore, the Ekiti Governor ” implored Mr Oshituyi to contact the Governor’s Office, Oke Bareke, Ado-Ekiti with useful information to help the investigations”

A security detail in Lagos who had worked with Dr Fayemi in the past, who preferred anonymity said the complainant was wrong to have chosen the social media to launch tirade against the Governor to the extent that he “supervised” the attack on his car adding the the victim portrayed himself as an “opportunistic liar.” He said he had obtained first hand information on the incidence

The source said he was informed the victim drove recklesslessly and refused to give the right of way to the Governor inspite of honk warnings from security details. He said in other states in Nigeria, the security officials would fire warning shots but that the Governor’s convoy merely warned the victim through blarring of warning sirens which he ignored.

“The Ekiti State Governor Dr Fayemi has never had any brush with any citizen for the almost eight years he has governed Ekiti State and has been travelling across Nigeria. Himself is a human rights activist and would never tolerate attacks on any citizen. The victim does not appreciate the security situation in the country. The way he drove he could have been mistaken for a terrorist or a suicide bomber. If he did that in any Northern State his car may be neutralised because he employed the tactics of a suicide bomber in his encounter with the Governor’s convoy.”

He said there was no way a state governor with any knowledge of security would have waited to access damage because the car could have been on attack mission adding that no fewer than three Nigerian State Governors have escaped death in the hands of terrorists including the Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu. He said the victim was insensitive to global best practices for VIP protection.

He said for sending a viral video immediately after the incidence was a clear indication that the victims was either seeking cheap attention or was on a mischief mission.