A civil society organisation (CSP), the Community Advocacy for Peace and Strategic Leadership Initiative (CAPSLI), has condemned the violence that characterised day one of the nationwide protests, which resulted in the killings, destruction of government and private businesses, as well as looting of valuables across the nation.
The CSP, in a statement signed by its national chairman, Akwuobi Francis and national secretary Pius Pamela, 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, such rights are, in themselves, not absolute, as the constitution imposes duties and obligations.
Specifically, the group drew 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 yesterday.
It would be noted that 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 late night broadcast, revealed that: “There has been destruction in Kano, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, FCT Abuja, Niger, Jigawa.
He said, “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”.
The CSO further made a passionate appeal to organisers of the protests to, in the collective interest of the nation, suspend further actions.
According to the statement, “Our appeal is founded on the potential threat that the violence of yesterday 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.”
