........Reaffirms Commitment to Rule of Law and Protection of Citizens.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ondo State on Public Enlightenment, Comrade Olufemi Akindele Lawson, has expressed strong condemnation of the reported brutality meted out to Mr. Balogun Alaba, a cooking gas vendor, and his wife, a nursing mother, by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) yesterday in Akure, in the course of what has been described as enforcement of licensing regulations for retail gas operators in the State.
In a statement issued by the Governor's Aide, He described the conduct of the officers involved as unacceptable, excessive, and a clear departure from the principles of civil law enforcement in a democratic society.
While the State Government acknowledges and respects the statutory roles of regulatory and enforcement agencies, including the NSCDC and the relevant petroleum regulatory authorities, it is unequivocally clear that law enforcement cannot, under any guise, be carried out through brutality against unarmed and law-abiding citizens. No regulatory objective, however legitimate, justifies the physical assault or intimidation of citizens, particularly a nursing mother, as reportedly witnessed during the incident.
The Ondo State Government firmly believes in the rule of law and the protection of the fundamental rights of all citizens. The current administration will not tolerate any action by law enforcement agents that threatens the safety, dignity, or lives of the people of Ondo State. Enforcement must be lawful, professional, and humane. Anything short of this undermines public confidence in our institutions.
Furthermore, the Government has received several reports alleging acts of bribery and extortion by some NSCDC operatives in the course of their so-called enforcement activities against retail gas operators. These allegations are deeply concerning and demand an immediate and transparent investigation. Regulatory enforcement must not be turned into an avenue for harassment or illicit enrichment at the expense of struggling entrepreneurs.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Ondo State Government is not opposed to regulatory oversight or compliance measures within the State. We support all lawful efforts aimed at ensuring safety standards, environmental compliance, and proper licensing in the gas retail sector. However, we will not encourage or condone any form of enforcement that is reckless, abusive, or life-threatening.
We therefore call on the leadership of the NSCDC in Ondo State to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, ensure accountability where necessary, and review the operational conduct of its personnel to prevent similar incidents in the future. The protection of lives and property must remain the primary objective of all security agencies operating within our State.
The people of Ondo State deserve safety, justice, and respect under the law, not intimidation and violence.
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