Ex-presidential candidate condemns attacks on protesters

A presidential candidate in the 2019 general elections under the defunct People’s Trust, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, Tuesday condemned attacks on the youth protesting against atrocities by operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

In a statement, he decried the excessive use of force to handle what he called “a peaceful protest”.

• Lawan urges #EndSARS protesters to suspend demonstrations
• Police arrest 5 traffic robbers during #EndSARS protest

Olawepo-Hashim also described as ‘commendable’ the protesters’ courage to “have broken a two-and-a-half-decade long silence in the face of a myriad of injustice in the land”.

“I condemn the excessive use of force to handle what is otherwise a peaceful protest and commend the protesters for breaking a two-and-a-half-decade long silence in the face of myriad injustices in the land.

“As one who has been a victim of such brutality in the hands of Nigerian security forces as students’ leaders in the 1980’s; I know what this current event means,” he said.

According to him, there must be accountability for the murder of young Nigerians allegedly killed by the security operatives.

He urged the National Assembly not to be silent in the face of the ongoing nationwide protest, adding that “all true leaders of the people cannot be dead quiet at this time”.