LEKKI TOLL MASSACRE: OONI OF IFE CONDEMNS THE KILLING, CALLS FOR URGENT INVESTIGATION

The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II has condemned the gruesome murder of unarmed #EndSARS protesters by security operatives on Tuesday night 20th of October, 2020 at Lekki Toll Gate.

The Paramount traditional ruler stated this in a communique issued on His official Twitter handle @OoniAdimulaIfe on Wednesday. He described the incidence as highly disheartening and regrettable, calling on government authorities to immediately investigate the case and bring perpetrators to book. The statement reads in part:

"The sad event that happened yesterday at the Lekki Toll gate in Lagos where armed soldiers were alleged to have killed unarmed young protesters is highly disheartening, regrettable and condemnable".

"Our political leadership must immediately investigate the circumstances that led to the avoidable confrontation and consequent loss of lives with a view to swiftly fishing out the unlawful attackers who must be made to face the full wrath of the law".

He highlighted that the youth's demonstrations are only born out of the spirit of patriotism and the belief that they can negotiate a change for a better Nigeria while maintaining that it is necessary to listen to and work with them for the betterment of all.

Ooni Ogunwusi pointed out the core values that are charastestic of the current generation of the youth and which, according to Him, they seek to inject into the system for the realization of our full potentials as a gifted nation.

"Their generation was nurtured with the values of efficiency, transparency, accountability and value chains. These are the noble values they seek to inject into our polity so that our country can realise its potential as a world power", He said.

The Co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) however stressed the important role of traditional institutions at the moment in securing peace and restoring trust in the system.

"It is time to calm down and allow traditional rulers, as fathers of the nation to lead the way to peace and restoration of trust. We must find amicable solutions even though this attack has regrettably eroded the trust needed to establish dialogue and ensure a civic process for resolving the crises. We must not be tired", Ooni continued.

The Oonirisa emphasized the need for patience and dialogue to reach a conclusion that will be beneficial to all, while calling on the government to see the urgency and responsiveness to the demands of Nigerians as a matter of priority. 

In His words, "Patience and dialogue is needed to bring both parties to the table to set timelines for the implementation of the demands of the movement. This is imperative".

"I call upon the government at all levels to demonstrate urgency and responsiveness by immediately acting on the yearnings of these patriotic Nigerians in order to facilitate a just and peaceful resolution of all the challenges confronting our country", Ooni concluded.