The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and a former Senator, Dino Melaye have called for immediate end to the looting and Violence.
The President of CBCN, Augustine O. Akubeze and CBCN Secretary, Camillus Umoh, said on Saturday in a joint statement that with many other Nigerians across the nation, they stand with the protesting youths and everyone who legitimately cries for justice.
“Sadly, in the last few days, we have all watched as certain youth groups, some alleged to be sponsored by government or its sympathisers, infiltrated the group of peaceful protesters and openly dared and threatened to visit violence on protesters and disrupt their gathering.
“It is clearly in the interest of the Federal Government, and of the entire nation, to ensure that our youths are not turned against each other. Instead, we should all promote the unity of Nigerians and do all we can to forestall this issue from further degenerating into ethnic and religious crisis.
“The climax of such disruptive tactics was the unfortunate and tragic events that occurred in the evening of Tuesday October 20, 2020 when some protesters were gunned down by armed men in military uniform, widely alleged to be members of the nation’s security forces.
“We condemn in the strongest words, the belittling, by these armed men, of the rights of citizens to peaceful assembly. With very heavy hearts, we respect the memory of those Nigerian youths who fell victim of this shameful tragedy that has drawn the attention of the entire international community.
“The conduct of these men in uniform was inhuman, dishonourable and detestable to say the least. All lives remain sacrosanct. It is our hope that the government will do all in its power to investigate these killings with a view to bringing those who are culpable to account, without any long delay,” the Bishops said.
They therefore urged those who are engaged in these violent criminal acts to stop them forthwith, and tow the path of peace, in order not to mar the noble cause being fought for by the youths, and for which some of them have already paid the supreme price.
They also commended the government for taking some actions, including the proscribing of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
“That the president finally addressed the nation is at best a small step in the right direction. But it is evident that the fundamental issues are yet to be addressed. More progressive steps need to be taken by the government.
“The government is, therefore, called upon to take full responsibility for stabilizing the country and restoring hope and confidence in its ability to lead our nation away from this disaster. We encourage the government to seek the best form of dialogue, so as to present to the nation, short, medium and long term solutions to this crisis,” they said.
On his part, Senator Dino Melaye urged Nigerians to work together to stop the ongoing looting and violence in order to avoid further breakdown of law and attendant loss of lives.
According to him, though one will ordinarily expect that the President’s address to the nation two days ago calm down frayed nerves, it has apparently not done much to the expectations of Nigerians at this trying moment.
“I, therefore, appeal for calm and I also appeal to patriotic Nigerians to in turn, in their various capacities, rein in fellow Nigerians on the need to de-escalate the situation by giving government at all levels the benefit of the doubt on the planned implementation of measures to end insecurity, police brutality, among other concerns that triggered off the #EndSARS advocacy before it was hijacked by sponsored hoodlums.
“Genuine protesters have made their point and I align with them. However, discretion is the better part of valour. We cannot continue to seek redress to an error in error, lest the hoodlums continue to capitalise on it to unleash mayhem on innocent Nigerians and destroy both public and private properties,” Melaye said.
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