TheCable

One person was killed, while several others sustained injuries after violence broke out at a protest ground in Osun state on Saturday.

Gboyega Oyetola, governor of the state, was whisked away from the #EndSARS protest ground in the state after some persons in the crowd hurled stones towards his direction.

Oyetola was addressing the protesters at Olaiya junction in Osogbo, the state capital, when suspected hoodlums, armed with guns and stones, launched an attack.

Two cars in the governor’s convoy were damaged in the process.

In a statement, the government described the incident as an attempt on the governor’s life.

“There was an attempt Saturday on the life of the Governor of the State of Osun, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola,” the statement read.

“Armed with guns, cutlasses, the hoodlums swooped on the Governor at Olaiya junction, while he was addressing the #EndSARS protesters at the state capital.

“Governor Oyetola had joined protesters in the walk from Alekuwodo area to Olaiya junction, singing with them and promising them that their demands will be looked into, and that he supported how their peaceful agitations which is a part of democratic process.

“However, while still addressing the youths, the armed men and women started shooting, hurled stones at the Governor’s car.”

There have been protests in states across the country with demonstrators calling for the scrapping of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) of the Nigeria police force following reports of brutality and extrajudicial killings.

Although SARS has now been disbanded with the special weapons and tactics (SWAT) team created as a replacement, the protests have continued, with the youth demanding a reform of the police force in general.

Protesters are also demanding better welfare for citizens.