Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has pledged to compensate families of Policemen who lost their lives during the #EndSARS protests in Oyo State.

The Governor made the promise late on Monday, November 2, at the Oyo State Police headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.

He said the families will be compensated from the N500 million fund already set aside to compensate victims of police brutality and injustice.

Governor Makinde, who commiserated with operatives of the Police Command over the loss of their officers, stated that the State Government would continue to work together with the force to make Oyo State safe and secure for residents.

He asked the police to put the experience of the last few weeks aside and join hands with the State Government to rebuild the nation and create a better society.

The Governor said: “I announced that the government has set up an initial N500m Victim Compensation Fund. I made the announcement last week and I want to say that the families of the policemen in Oyo State who were extrajudicially killed will be part of those to be compensated in the fund. And I also want to say that may the souls of the departed colleagues rest in peace.

“The Police are a very important part of our community. My prayer is that things will get better with our country, state, and Nigerian Police Force.

“Things will get better with Oyo State Police Command and it will get better with us as individuals. I can stand before you to say that not every member of the Police is bad. So, the government and the people of Oyo State are with you.

“If we work together to create a better society, you also are coming to enjoy that better society. We must all join hands to make our society better.

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“It is time to put everything that has happened behind us and work towards nation-building. That I said I support the protest does not mean I am against you. I am for the protection of everyone’s rights including the right of the officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force.

“So, we need your cooperation to ensure that arsonists, anarchists are brought to book. And I am here to work with you to make the burden you are carrying very light.”

Governor Makinde added that the State Government would commence rebuilding of all police commands that were burnt down and destroyed during the protests.

This development comes barely one week after Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State also promised to compensate families of all police officers who died during the protests in Lagos State.

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