Northern youths warn against use of force on #EndSARS protesters

A Coalition of Concerned Northern Youths (CCNY) has asked security forces to stop using force against the #EndSARS protesters in the country.

The Coalition in a statement on Wednesday, by its National Convener, Comrade Muhammed Ishaq, said it was particularly saddened by the brutal shooting on peaceful protesters on Tuesday night at Lekki Toll Gate Plaza by security forces which resulted in the killing of some innocent Nigerians.

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He said shooting of peaceful protesters in the name of enforcing a curfew imposed by government was undemocratic and illegal.

“It is obnoxious for any government to turn its weapons on its own young citizens because the blood of one innocent Nigerian youth is more valuable and more significant than the ambition or position of any leader or interest group.

“The punishment for violating a curfew is not and shall never be death as even if the protesters were breaching a curfew, such actions did not warrant the use of live ammunition by security forces.

“Protests are an indispensable part of any democracy. Thus, the fundamental rights of Nigerian youths to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression must be protected at all costs.

“Also, we would like to urge all Nigerian citizens not to allow themselves be divided by some unpatriotic and selfish elements on the basis of religion, region or ethnicity as we are all victims of bad governance, poverty and insecurity, among others,” the Coalition said.