The Federal Government has told members of the Diplomatic Community in Nigeria that it is committed to meeting the demands of Nigerians protesting police brutality and will not allow those with ulterior motive hijack the movement.
The Diplomatic Corps was briefed in Abuja by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika.
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The ministers said the meeting was aimed at informing the International Community of the Federal government’s response to the initial demands of the protesters which was immediately acted upon.
According to Onyeama, President Muhammadu Buhari listened to the concerns of Nigerians from the onset of the protest by immediately disbanding the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and directed the immediate reform of the police.
Onyeama said as a government that respects its constitutions which allows for freedom of speech and lawful assembly, it allowed Nigerians to embark on the #EndSARS protests to air their demands.
He said that unfortunately, the movement which was a peaceful protest has been hijacked by those with hidden agendas that want to disrupt the democratic process of the country, warning that the government will not condone anarchy.
The Foreign Affairs Minister, however, urged protesting Nigerians to stick to the main demands of police reforms as the government is committed to addressing all other issues they have highlighted in the course of time.
“Mr President listened and took very seriously the demands of the movement and directed response by the government.
Edward Kallon, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, said the UN appreciated the efforts of the Nigerian government in handling the situation.
Kallon, who was represented by Mr Oliver Stope, Country Representative of the UN office on Drug and Crime, pledged the UN’s commitment to ensuring a sustainable democracy in Nigeria. (NAN)
