The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), has
lamented the loss of lives and properties suffered in different parts of the
country as hoodlums hijacked the #EndSARS protests against police brutality and
extrajudicial killings.
Buhari, in a live broadcast on Thursday evening, also warned
miscreants who have taken advantage of the situation to loot and destroy public
and private assets.
The President said, “I must warn those who have hijacked and
misdirected the initial, genuine and well-intended protest of some of our
youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the
now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad.”
However, in his broadcast tonight, the President was silent
on Tuesday attack at the Lekki toll gate where eyewitnesses said soldiers
opened fire on #EndSARS protesters around 7pm.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while on a visit
to the injured youths on Tuesday night, had said about 30 of the young
protesters were receiving treatment in various hospitals around the Lekki area.
Eyewitnesses also said about seven persons died in the
attack.
Sanwo-Olu had said he did not order the deployment of
uniformed men to the protest ground.
Nigerians expected the President to answer pertinent
questions about events that culminated into the deployment of troops on unarmed
youths but Buhari was mum on the matter.
But Buhari blamed hoodlums for the arson, looting and violence in the country at the moment.
He said, “The result of this is clear to all observers:
human lives have been lost; acts of sexual violence have been reported; two
major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and
private properties completely destroyed or vandalised; the sanctity of the
Palace of a Peace Maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated. So-called
protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted
the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.
All these executed in the name of the ENDSARS protests. I am
indeed deeply pained that innocent lives have been lost. These tragedies are
uncalled for and unnecessary. Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect
these bad acts to legitimate expression of grievance of the youth of our
country.”
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