IKEJA – Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on Wednesday urged residents of the state to always explore peaceful and legitimate means in expressing their grievances.
He gave the advice in Ikeja while receiving the report of the enquiry set up to investigate the June 17, 2013 students’ riots at the Michael Otedola College of Education, Epe.
The riot was allegedly sponsored by some students barred by the authorities from writing the semester examinations for failing to settle their school fees.
Several vehicles, buildings and facilities at the institution were destroyed in the violence.
Fashola said resulting to violence and destruction of property during protests was uncivilised.
“Residents have the democratic right to protest. The right must be expressed in such a way that it did not infringe on the rights of others or inflict pain on them,’’ he said.
He described the riot at the institution as unfortunate, promising that the government would get to root of the matter to forestall a recurrence.
The governor said:“Democracy is built on the right to speak and to participate. Within those rights, there is no right to violence.
“I think it is important to reinforce the fact that what we are investigating is to know the circumstances that led to the students’ riot.
“And this is different from protest because protest is legitimate while riot is not. [eap_ad_1] “Riot is an unlawful act because it leads to damage of property. Whatever the grievances maybe, rioting is not the lawful way to express such.
“ So citizens must understand that we must put an end to this kind of act. We must show that we are civilised people.’’
The Chairman of the panel of enquiry, Prof. Idowu Shobowale, said the panel which was set up on Sept 6, 2013 was mandated to determine the immediate and the remote causes of the crisis.
Shobowale added that the panel was also expected to assess the roles and degree of culpability of students, staff, police and outsiders in the crisis.
The panel recommended appropriate amount to surcharge students for damages recorded during the crisis, he said.
The chairman urged the police to respond promptly to distress calls by public institutions and also evolved better mob control strategies. (NAN)
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