Sowore Mourns, Laments FG Restriction, and Reactions

Blessing Enenaite Leading Stories, Politics 10/09/2021

On September 4, Olajide Sowore -the younger brother of human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore was murdered by suspected herdsmen. According to reports, Olajide was traveling along the Lagos-Benin expressway when he met his death. Besides, five others were abducted by the herdsmen.

The killing of Olajide Sowore, younger brother of activist and former presidential candidate in the 2019 elections, in the hands of kidnappers suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, will rank among the numerous victims of the criminal bandits.

In the past few years, there have been attacks on innocent Nigerian citizens by the herdsmen who kill farmers, destroy their crops and other properties. However, they have extended their dastardly acts to travelers and residents in general.

Despite the continuous complaints and the clamour for their activities to be curtailed by the security agencies, their murderous acts have not been curbed by the government.

This has necessitated the efforts of the government to be questioned. The death of Sowore, who was a student of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, has drawn reactions from various persons in the country.

The governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, while commiserating with the Sowore family over the murder of their son, said that investigations are ongoing.

“I commiserate with the Sowore family and the Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, over the death of his brother, Olajide Sowore. The news of Olajide’s death is heartbreaking. We will make all efforts to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to justice.

“On behalf of the people and Government of Edo State, I condole with the Sowore family and pray that God will grant all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” Obaseki said.

Read Also: Nigeria Bleeds as Insecurity Heightens

Former vice-president Atiku Abubakar also sent his condolences to the family of the deceased. Consequently, he said he is saddened by the continuous killings of citizens across the country.

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also said:

“I just received news of the reported killing of Mr Olajide Sowore, a student of Igbinedion University and the immediate younger brother of human rights activist, @YeleSowore.

“His death, and indeed the killings and daily abductions of innocent citizens, saddens me. Every death diminishes our humanity. My sincere condolences to the Sowore family and his friends. May his soul rest in peace,” Abubakar tweeted.