Hoodlums on suspected to be members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers on Friday killed two #EndSARS protesters in Benin, the Edo State capital.
One of the victims was shot dead while the other was macheted to death by the hoodlums at Ring Road near the palace of the Oba of Benin where the protesters had converged before they were attacked by the hoodlums.
It was gathered that the hoodlums accused the protesters of preventing them from making money from daily issuance of tickets to commercial drivers, swooped on them with guns and machetes.
Governor Godwin Obaseki, while condemning the killings directed the State Police Command to provide security for the #ENDSARS protesters in the state.
“I have just learnt that hoodlums are attacking #EndSARS protesters, who have conducted themselves peacefully in Benin City. I extend condolences to the victims of the attack, including those who lost their lives and others who were injured by the thugs,” said Obaseki.
Speaking further against the attack on the protesters, Obaseki said ‘it is disheartening that anyone would attack a peaceful assembly of young people, who are expressing genuine concerns to #EndSARS, police brutality and intimidation in their own country’.
He stressed that the State Police Command must ensure that the protesters were not harassed during their protest in the state.
“I hereby call on the Police Command in the state to get out on the streets and provide adequate security for the #EndSARS protesters and ensure that no one is harassed in the course of exercising their rights in Edo State,” Obaseki noted.
