Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has warned those posting inciting and provocative statements and video clips on the social media to refrain from the unpatriotic acts that fan the embers of disunity and discord.
Great Achiever Magazine reports that the governor gave the warning on Tuesday, at a stakeholders meeting on #EndSARS Protest, which was held at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.
Abiodun said the people posting fake and false news were deliberately doing so to spread social discontent or put the government in bad light, advising them to put their energy to productive endeavours on the social media.
He said: "We are all witnesses to what havoc fake and inciting posts can cause. In this regard, I also advise the public to be circumspect in what they believe or share on the social media, so that we do not end up being unwitting recruits and purveyors of fake news with its dire consequences for peace and security in the society".
Governor Abiodun stated that the hosting of the stakeholders meeting in conjunction with the top hierarchy of the police is a welcome development, as it is a practical demonstration of the commitment of the police hierarchy to the fulfillment of its constitutional duties of protecting lives and property.
He commended all the security agencies for their professionalism, restraints and maturity in handling the protest, adding that it was a most challenging period to be a security agent, "yet you all rose to the occasion".
In the same vein, the governor also commended the youths for their conduct before, during and after the #EndSARS protest.
"You have all demonstrated that this is the State of Omoluabi and you are all thoroughbred Omoluabis. We are proud of you! You have become reference point in the country of young people showing restraint and discipline, even when it was tempting to join the pattern of looting and violence as obtainable in some other parts of the country.
"You realised that any destruction of our commonwealth or even private properties diminishes us all in the long run. I enjoin you not to allow people from outside the state to destroy what belongs to us all or inflict harm on our state", Abiodun admonished.
The governor further affirmed that the relative peace achieved in Ogun State in the wake of #EndSARS protest has been largely achieved through divine benevolence and effective engagement of the stakeholders and “local policing” by the youths and traditional rulers, which validates the call for police officers that are sourced from and and live within their communities.
He said: "It is also important to note that while we cannot absolve in totality the police from allegations against them, we cannot also use the few bad eggs to make general and hasty statements about the entire police system. We need to continue to encourage, motivate and support the police to be more effective, professional and trusted partners to achieve peace and security.
"No doubt, there are many good men and officers of repute in the police force. Even during the subsequent violence that trailed the #EndSARS protest, we had stories of police stations that were not tampered with because of the respect and love the people of those areas have for their police officers in such stations. There are also stories of heroic efforts of some police officers. I am delighted to note that Ogun State Police command has continued to make us proud.
"Although, we still have report of some people planning to cause disturbances. There are indications that these are not people of Ogun State but trying to whip up sentiments that will resonate with some uninformed youths in the State so as to enlist them. I advise in their own interest that Ogun State will not be conducive to them or anyone with criminal intentions", Abiodun concluded.
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