Former Military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar expressed concerns over the hijack of peaceful #EndSARS protests staged by Nigerian youths to call for reforms in the Nigeria Police and an end to Police brutality.
Abubakar said the Federal Government has apologized and promised to look into the matter and take action, adding that the state governors have also responded promptly by acknowledging the genuine grievances of the youth.
He added that the Inspector General of Police Mr. Mohammed Adamu has also been quite decisive on the matter, stressing that all these steps showed some level of goodwill and an acknowledgement that the grievances of the youth were being taken seriously.
The elder statesman stated this on Thursday during a media briefing with select journalists at his Up Hill residence in Minna, the Niger State capital, saying not withstanding these gestures, the demonstration continued, consequences of which it began to cause serious discomfort to citizens and the country.
General Abubakar noted that the development gave opportunities for criminal elements to infiltrate the peaceful movement, saying “the hi-jacking of the protests by criminals have resulted into violence, destruction of government and private properties, criminal release of prisoners and the lynching and burning of policemen and some innocent persons.”
This, he pointed out, forced the government to send out security agencies to restore law and order which unfortunately further led to the loss of more innocent lives, emphasizing that “these development was already causing serious concern to all of us and if care is not taken, it might take the country to point of no return.”
Abubakar added that: “I am for this reason appealing and calling for a halt, to give peace a chance or dialogue. I am specifically appealing to our youths who have strongly and clearly made their points, to withdraw from the streets and prepare for dialogue.
“I am equally appealing to the President to continue addressing the grievances expressed by the youths and lay out the programme that meets and addresses the objective of the protest. May peace return to our country and may peace reign in our land.”
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