If Kwara State Remains Peaceful, It’s From the Youths -By Abdulwaheed Sofiullahi

Peace is what we’re apparently known with. And it’s the pride of the state, a norm and optimistic attire that paves way for Kwarans to stand-out among other citizens of this country. Since the state was created in 1967, tranquility has been promoting within the state. Hausa, Fulani and other tribes are as well promoting the peaceful slogan.

What a week now, a genuine and well-intended protest of youths in parts of the country against the excesses of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS)  began, especially in Kwara state. In some parts of the nation, it’s suddenly hijacked by hoodlums which caused mayhem and arson. It’s unfortunate that the mindset of youths that began it was exchanged with killings and burning of properties. My sympathy and prayer to relatives and esteemed ones of the dead in other states, particularly at Lagos toll gate massacre. Perhaps, President Muhammadu Buhari wasn’t informed that’s why he didn’t include it while addressing the nation yesterday. What a caring leader.

Early today, In a statement released by “Harriet Afolabi Oshatimehin”, Hon. Commissioner for communications stated that the government heard about some anarchists are planning to attack public facilities in the state,  especially the capital city, Ilorin. And later today, the news reached us that hoodlums had finally stormed the CACOVID Warehouse located at Cargo terminal International Airpot, Ilorin.  Also, the customs office was built.  How can what began as a peaceful protest in Kwara state turned to the torching of public properties, looting of Covid19 palliatives, and arson? If we could remember, the protest was initially led by the governor of the state, showing the full support for youths. Hence, People are running to and fro in panic.  ‘’The life of inner peace, being harmonious and without stress, is the easiest type of existence.’’ Norman Vincent Peale. If Kwara remains peaceful, whether now or in the future, it’s from the youths.

The #EndSARS protest began as agitation against police brutality, and suddenly, in some parts of this country, peace had fled through the window and changed to something else.  The Lagos state toll gate massacre and other affected states might’ve taught the youths in Kwara state not to affect others’ peaceful living.

It’s also important for the state government,  to provide the reason why those food items that were stolen by the hoodlums in a warehouse carried ‘Covid-19 palliatives’. Are those items supposed to be distributed early doing the covid-19 period? or they’re the palliatives that were donated by the federal government for the victims of recently rainstormed victims. Certainly, Governor AA would continue promoting Kwara as he promised.  Moreover, Kwara is the state of harmony, a symbol of national peace and we have to protect it.

Abdulwaheed Sofiullahi writes from Ilorin, Kwara State.