Day four into the nationwide demonstration that would last for 10-day, the protesters have told the Federal Government that if it fails to accede to their demands, they will continue to display their displeasure.
They vowed not to be intimidated by the hostile gestures expressed towards them by security agents, saying their demands were legitimate.
On Thursday, demonstrators, with placards and banners with different inscriptions hit the streets of Abuja, including the Eagle Square, Federal Secretariat, National Stadium, and suburbs of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, as well as other cities across the country chanting: ‘We dey hungry, end bad governance,’ kick-starting the mass action.
In a show of force, security forces clashed with the peaceful protesters, leading to the loss of several lives; similarly, properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed in some states, including Borno, Kano, Kaduna and Kebbi.
Worried by the development, Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, and activists expressed dismay over how the protesters were attacked and some killed by security forces.
In separate conversations, security operatives were scored low for unprofessionalism.
An activist, Deji Adeyanju, who accused the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, of giving order to the police to brutalise the demonstrators, said it was disappointing to hear that Nigerians were killed....[CONTINUE READING HERE ▶▶]
Adeyanju said until a highly placed individual was held responsible for unleashing violence on peaceful protesters, there would be no end to the killing of non-violent demonstrators.
His words: “The President, in clear terms, warned the police against using force. The Nigerian Army who are there with protesters did not attack them, but the police are the aggressors.
Look at what happened at Eagle Square, Borno State and many other parts of the country. Protesters are protesting peacefully and the police cannot exercise restraint. The IGP should be held responsible for all the violence unleashed on peaceful protesters across the country.
“He gave the order and must be held accountable for the violence unleashed. Not until somebody is held accountable for acts like this, it will persist, continue and fester. There must be consequences for the bad behaviour of the police across the length and breadth of the country. Very high-ranking police officers have told us that the order to crack down on protesters came from the IGP. The President should act accordingly. Protesters will continue to improvise and try to beat police brutality.
Citizens have shown that despite the attacks, they are still willing to come out. Thursday attacks will not deter citizens from coming out and whether anybody likes it or not, protest is a fundamental human right given by the constitution, not the President, IGP, Service Chiefs but the constitution, and nobody can circumvent that right.”
