OUR RIGHT TO PROTEST DOES NOT TAKE AWAY GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO PREVENT ANARCHY ; PCRC CALLS ON PROTESTERS TO LEAVE THE STREETS AND DIALOGUE WITH GOVERNMENT, by Kunle Sodipo

.......... CONDEMNS ATTACKS IN OSUN, EKITI AND LAGOS. 

The leadership of Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Southwest Geopolitical Zone has called on all good citizens, especially youths involved in the now 11 days non stop EndSARS protest, to leave the streets and avoid further escalation of tensions, such as witnessed on Saturday 17th October, 2020 in Osun and Ekiti States and again displayed yesterday Monday 19th October, 2020 in Lagos State ; where the Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, Nigeria Police Area Command Headquarters Ikere Ekiti and Lagos RRS Police Officers were attacked respectively by protesters who appeared no more less than hoodlums.

The call was made yesterday Monday 19th October, 2020 by the National Vice Chairman, Alhaji Mogaji Ibrahim Olaniyan during a telephone interview with Journalists in Abeokuta on the EndSARS protests which has continued in major cities of the Southwest States and other parts of the Country but now appears to have been taken over by hoodlums and other elements with sinister motives.

In his submission, the Mogaji Fosunpaja of Ibadan land said and i quote "It's time to reflect on the gains of the peaceful protest, retreat and give the Government some time to implement the demands fully". He further maintained that the physical protests have now been hijacked by hoodlums and advised that the peaceful protest can continue online aggressively till demands are fully met, just to keep the Government on their toes. Let's put an end to physical gathering, he concluded.

The PCRC in series of her engagements at all levels, most especially on matters affecting both the Police and the Community, have before and up till now, echoed the need for a strong commitment from both the Police and the Community in the most reasonable manner and as a way out to avoid the situation such as we are now ; where disgruntled elements with other personal agenda, have taken advantage of the ongoing protests to coordinate and perpetrate evil actions capable of jeopardising our entire public safety. It is now our collective responsibility to support what now looks like a very strong and reliable political will from the Government* to effect  necessary reforms as demanded by Nigerians through the youths who are the majority voices that we can't afford or continue to ignore. 

We condemn in strong terms, the attack on the convoy of Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, our Police Officers in Ekiti, Lagos and the Peaceful Protesters who have done nothing but to demand for an end to all forms of Brutality in the Land. As mentioned in a Yoruba proverb "Moja mosa, lan mo akinkanju", we as youths must now show and display the bravery of real warriors by knowing when to fight and when to retreat, give peace a chance and re-strategize for another day. 

Imagine the pains of our pregnant women in labor, who could not get to the hospital because all roads leading to medical facilities were blocked due to the continuous protest. Our children's lost time in school due to Covid-19 outbreak must also be put into consideration at this critical period. 

Yes, the protest is for the benefit of all, including the Police who have long been working under very poor conditions. Yet, we must come to the reality that the total collapse of public order comes with many unpalatable effects.

Let's leave the streets, allow Government to process and implement the demands as highlighted by the youths and continue to SOROSOKE online for a Nation where both the Police and the Community treats each other with maximum respect.

Comrade Kunle Sodipo MNIMN,MNIM.

Public Relations Directorate, PCRC Southwest Nigeria.