President Muhammadu Buhari says any form of hooliganism will be dealt with decisively across the country just as some youths are threatening to resume a new wave of #EndSARS protests.
“Let me also mention the ENDSARS protests which was recently hijacked by hoodlums which resulted in loss of lives and property in many situations across the country.
“I want to reiterate our government commitment to the rights of citizens to embark on peaceful protests.
“However, this must be done responsibly in accordance with the laws of the land. I also want to state that any act of hooliganism hiding behind the peaceful protests, will be highly dealt with decisively to ensure the peace and stability of our nation,” he said.
Buhari spoke at the opening of the 2020 edition of the Chief of Army Conference in Abuja.
Persecondnews recalls that in October, protests against police brutality and extra-judicial killings by personnel of the dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) swept across the country.
The protests were, however, hijacked by hoodlums, who burnt police stations, public buildings, looted shops and malls as well as killed policemen.
In Lagos, more than 300 buses in the fleet of BRT and LAGBUS were torched by the hoodlums.
Lagos Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has disclosed that about one trillion naira will be needed to rebuild the state.
A Presidential delegation and that of the 36 state governors had visited Lagos to assess the level of destruction unleashed on the state’s facilities and private businesses.
Buhari, however, praised the military for restoring peace and order to the country after the arson and breakdown of law and order occasioned by the hoodlums’ attacks.
“On this note, I commend the Nigeria army for their efforts to swiftly restore law and order in many states during the last scale of criminality that ensued in the wake of the #ENDSARS protests,” the president said.
Buhari, who did not respond to the calls for the removal of service chiefs over the current deteriorating security situation in the country, was full of praises for the armed forces.
“I commend the military for their unwavering commitment in curtailing the activities of armed insurgents, armed bandits, kidnappers, cattle rustlers and other violent groups through ongoing exercises in different parts of the country.”
