The National Coordinator of National Peace Campaign (NPC), Ambassador Valentine Opaluwa Ejeh has lamented the anarchy occassioned by the EndSARS protests which began last week across the country.
Condemning the high level destructon of properties and alledged killing of protesters by Security agents, he said the protest which was noble with poignant demands by the youths has been hijacked by elements who have been waiting in the wings to unleash carnage on citizens, hence, the option left is to stop.
In a press release made available to CAPITAL POST in Abuja, Ambassador Ejeh opined that things have snowballed and escalated into “anarchism”, a situation that may be a breach on the Constitution of Nigeria.
The statement reads: “The state of anarchy in the last few days, killings, destruction and of properties is a degeneration and chaos that should not be allowed to dehumanize us further.
He insisted that, the youth were right in the first place by engaging in peaceful protest to press home their demand due to the brutality and roguery activities of SARS. This is in line with democratic principle.
“However, in the last few days it has become apparent that ‘a state of anarchy’ is looming and if nothing concrete is done to stem the tide urgently, the Nigerian State and her people may be consumed by the inferno that has been ignited by those who have hijacked the EndSARS campaign.
“I therefore call on the Nigerian youths protesting to bring an end to the protest across the country so that the criminal elements can be fished out.
“They must embrace the option of dialogue especially that the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammad’s Buhari has set in motion the process of holistic reform of the Nigerian Police Force.
“There is need for peace to return to the nooks and crannies of this country. The youth should not allow themselves to be used and the deaths and destruction of properties and infrastructure associated with the EndSARS protest should not be allowed to escalate and degenerate further.
“What happened in Benin, Lekki, Lagos NPA building in Lagos, Jos Abuja and other states does not serve any meaningful purpose at the end of it all, this to continue to descend to the abyss of killings and destruction is a dangerous path to thread.
“The key figures of the campaign should be ready to dialogue with the Federal Government of Nigeria and her agents to find lasting solution to the menace of police brutality and other issues which borders on human rights of the citizenry.
“Therefore, I call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to be more proactive and cautious in dealing with the protesters and identity the criminal elements that brought another dimension to what ought to be a peaceful protest.
“There is also the need for judicial commission of inquiry into the activities of the disbanded SARS to heal the wound of the atrocities committed over the years. I commend the state governments that have initiated the processes.
“I also call on the international community to intervene in this issues not only to bring peace to Nigeria, but countries where Nigerians are also protesting the EndSARS campaign.
“The UN, EU, Britain, China and the U.S should intervene to stop the inflammation which will definitely culminate into escalation of this conflict.
“Valentine added the the National Peace Campaign, an initiative of Pencraft Books, a research, writing, documentation and publishing firm in conjunction with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) under the auspices of Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs will soon commence peace making and building advocacy across the states of the federation for national peace, unity and cohesion. He concluded.
