Hope Uzodinma, Imo State governor, has backed the resolve of President Muhammadu Buhari to regulate social media in Nigeria.
Mr Uzodinma endorsed the move today while playing host to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu, who visited to access the level of damage done to police formations in the state.
Nationwide protests demanding police reforms turned violent after state sponsored thugs attacked the peaceful demonstrators. Looting of COVID-19 palliatives immediately followed after the protests was suspended over killing of protesters at the Lekki toll gate on October 20 by personnel of the Nigerian military.
“I am strongly advocating that social media should be regulated in Nigeria,” Uzodinma told the police boss who also blamed social media for the escalation of demonstrations nationwide.
The Imo governor said he is supporting the regulation of free speech because it is being used in fomenting trouble.
“Opposition party incited hoodlums to cause trouble in Imo, because the real protesters went off the street after my address and assurances to them,’’ he added.
On his part, Mr Adamu said his men who were armed resisted the temptations of unlawful action but were being killed while the demonstrations lasted.
“I can tell you that our men acted professionally during the protest, they had their guns, they were being killed, yet they respected human dignity,” he said.
“I came specifically to visit vandalised property and to see the level of damage done to police facilities in Imo,” the police boss added.
