TheCable

The Ekiti state government says those injured in the attack on the convoy of Bisi Fayemi, the first lady, during a protest by students of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, are still in hospital.

TheCable had reported how the first lady’s convoy was attacked on Tuesday by the students who were protesting insufficient supply of electricity by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

The protest was said to have escalated into violence, as two students of the university and a policeman were reportedly killed.

In a statement on Wednesday, Muyiwa Olumilua, commissioner for information, said the government was not informed of the students’ plight prior to the protest.

“Erelu Fayemi was in Oye Local Government in continuation of her community engagement and advocacy tour of the state. She had commenced the Tuesday’s tour from Moba Local Government and had visited Ilejemeje Local Government before arriving in Oye-Ekiti for the last leg of the tour,” he said.

“The convoy of the Wife of the Governor was attacked with several vehicles vandalised, leaving many people, including journalists, with varying degrees of injuries.

“Those injured during the attack have been given first aid treatment, while some are still receiving treatment in the hospital.

“While not denying the students the right to express their grievances on any issue, it is expected that such be done without resulting to violence.

“Ekiti State Government has been informed that there might have been casualties recorded during the incident. We await more details of this sad development from the school authorities. Nothing is worth the loss of any life.

“As a responsible government, it is on record that the State Government has been engaging the electricity company (BEDC) on how to improve the power situation in parts of the State, long before this unfortunate incident, and promise to continue to engage them on the improvement of their service delivery to Ekiti State.”