By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Community Advocacy for Peace and Strategic Leadership Initiative (CAPSLI) on Friday said the nationwide protests have been hijacked by non-state actors across eight states, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) leading to no fewer than 17 people reported killed and destruction of business concerns, as well as looting of valuables.
CAPSLI stated this in a press statement signed on Friday morning by its National Chairman Akwuobi Francis, and National Secretary Pius Pamela.
The group regretted that the demonstrations turned bloody, even as law abiding and patriotic citizens were denied access to their means of livelihood.
Recall that 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.
“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”.
CAPSLI acknowledged 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 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 yesterday.
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 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.
“We are inclined ask the organisers the following questions to wit: Are you comfortable with the reports that at least 17 people were gruesomely killed?
“Was it in your original plan that properties should be destroyed, with accompanying stealing and looting of valuables?
“Do you regret your failure to heed earlier calls by security agencies, and other authorities of government, to drop the protest option, following security threat analysis of likely hijack by hoodlums?
“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?
“While you reflect deeply on the above posers, 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”.
