By Shakirudeen Bankole
President Muhammadu Buhari has issued a strong warning against persons fueling violence in the country, to desist from it or face serious consequences.
In his nationwide broadcast Thursday night, Buhari, who condoled with the family of peoples who have lost their lives in the nationwide mayhem, which was sparked protest against police brutality in the country, said violence would not be tolerated going forward.
He said his government had listened and acceeded to all of the issues raised by the protesters and making practical steps to deliver on them all.
In the speech, Buhari did not make direct reference to the Lekki Toll Gate shootings by the men of the Nigerian army on Tuesday night, leading to the death of many protesters and stoking the embers of violence in Lagos and elsewhere around the country.
Amnesty international said at least 12 lives were lost in the horrifying shootings amid claims that the figure is higher, something which had sparked global outrage.
The President, however, said that after the promises made and practical steps taken so far, there was no justification for continued protest, to the extent of degenerating to deadly violence.
“While the issues raised are being addressed, including that of the challenge of unemployment, the government will not therefore hesitate to protect the lives and properties of the people, going forward,” he warned.
According to the President, “I therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.
“And I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect. Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty,” he added.
Speaking further, the President said “The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.
“As a democratic government, we listened to, and carefully evaluated the five-point demands of the protesters. And, having accepted them, we immediately scrapped SARS, and put measures in place to address the other demands of our youth.
“On approving the termination of SARS, I already made it clear that it was in line with our commitment to the implementation of extensive Police reforms.
“Sadly, the promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.
“The result of this is clear to all observers: human lives have been lost; acts of sexual violence have been reported; two major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalised; the sanctity of the Palace of a Peace Maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated. So-called protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.
“All these executed in the name of the ENDSARS protests. I am indeed deeply pained that innocent lives have been lost. These tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary. Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these bad acts to legitimate expression of grievance of the youth of our country.
“The spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through the social media in particular, that this government is oblivious to the pains and plight of its citizens is a ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgement and disruptive behaviour.”
