The Community Advocacy for Peace and Strategic Leadership Initiative (CAPSLI), has condemned the violence that characterised day one of the nationwide protests, resulting in the killings, destruction of business concerns, as well as looting of valuables.
As at the last count, no fewer than 17 people were reported killed, with scores injured in the protests that were hijacked by non-state actors across eight states, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, during a broadcast, revealed that: “There has been destruction in Kano, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, FCT Abuja, Niger, Jigawa.
“Police stations have been destroyed, there has been attempts to take over government houses, looting of government infrastructures, several warehouses and shops have so far been looted and, in several instances, completely destroyed”.
In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Akwuobi Francis, and National Secretary, Pius Pamela, CAPSLI regretted that the demonstrations turned bloody, even as law abiding and patriotic citizens were denied access to their means of livelihood.
While acknowledging the rights of Nigerians to peaceful assembly and expression, the group said such rights are, in themselves, not absolute, as the Constitution imposes duties and obligations.
Specifically, the group draw attention to the appeals made by security agencies against the planned protests, expressing concerns about the possibility of subversive and unpatriotic elements infiltrating the ranks of peaceful demonstrators, thereby unleashing the kind of terror that was seen on Thursday.
Consequently, the non-profit group has made a passionate appeal to organisers of the protests to, in the collective interest of the nation, suspend further actions.
“Our appeal is founded on the potential threat that the violence of Thursday brings to bear on national security, peace and public safety.
“We make bold to say that the messages that the authentic protesters intended to pass to the authorities, have been well received, hence the need to calm down.
“In all honesty, would you say that the Federal Government, especially, has not activated measures to address some of the issues that you claimed necessitated your actions, in the first instance?
“We urge parents and guardians to prevail on their children/wards to resist attempts by unpatriotic elements to use them as cannon fodder, while supporting the people-oriented efforts of government geared towards bettering their lots”.
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