The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has cautioned over attempts to give ethnic colouration to the recent #EndSARS protests and the Tuesday night reported shooting of protesters at Lekki, Lagos.
The group, in a statement by its leader, Chief Reuben Fashoranti, on Thursday, said it was not unaware of attempts to cause ethnic divisions over what is going on in the country.
“We should be careful not to play into the hands of those who have exploited our peoples through divide and rule over the years.
“The unity of the oppressed is key at the moment and our people are enjoined to avoid any action that could be misinterpreted as solidarity is required at this moment,” Afenifere said.
It expressed shock over the Tuesday incident, saying, “The space where Muslims prayed on Friday and Christians on Sunday was turned to a bloody ground when the Nigerian state showed its bestiality.”
While mourning all the dead and commiserating with their families, Afenifere demanded the arrest and trial of “all trigger-happy men who have caused sorrow, tears and blood.”
The group lamented the “massive destruction of properties” after the incident while appealing for calm and halt to the destruction.
“It is also pathetic that the president has kept mute over the killings and has not deemed it necessary to visit the scene or commiserate with those who lost dear ones,” the statement added.
It reiterated the need for “immediate restructuring of Nigeria to avoid imminent collapse.”
The statement added: “We call on the governor of Lagos to show better humanity than the federal government by apologising over the killings to partly assuage feelings and show value for human lives.
“Afenifere shall be at the forefront of seeking justice and will not relent in making all sacrifices to make Nigeria a proper federal state that can guarantee happiness for its people.”
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