#EndSARS must not be used to introduce anarchy – FG
The Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen Bashir Magashi (rtd.) and his counterpart in Agriculture and Rural Development, Muhammad Sabo-Nanono have warned against allowing the activities of #EndSARS protesters in the country to degenerate into anarchy.
In a joint speech at the Kano stakeholders peace talks held in Kano over the weekend, the ministers stated that the disruption of socio-economic activities, loss of lives, arson and vandalism during the protests were unwarranted.
According to the ministers, considering the speed with which government responded to the demands of the youths, including immediate dissolution of the SARS and setting up of the judicial panels in all the states to investigate the alleged police brutality, the protests should not have turned violent.
They lamented that the activities of the protesters, which include burning national flag and destroying public and private properties had dented the image of the country abroad.
The ministers maintained that the sovereignty and unity of Nigeria are sacrosanct and non-negotiable, appealing to the youth to avoid all negative sentiments and biases capable of threatening national security.
“Let us further draw your attention to the fact that all of us are Nigerians and we have no other country than Nigeria. Therefore, all efforts towards archiving peaceful co-existence and protection of all citizens’ rights are our collective responsibility.”
They reminded that the country is facing the challenges of banditry, cattle rustling, kidnapping and Boko Haram insurgency, resulting in loss of lives and properties, stressing that “we should not allow the security situation to degenerate to anarchy, as government is putting in resources to preserve and protect the sanctity of the nation.”
In his remarks, the leader of ethnic nationalities and chairman of Igbo community in Kano, Boniface Ibekwe, apologised to the government and people of the state for the violence that broke out during the protest.
The violence had resulted to loss of lives and destruction of properties on the second most populous state in the country.
Culled from Blueprint.ng
