ANOTHER ROUND OF #ENDSARS PROTEST WOULD BE PREMATURE AND COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE - KOGI STATE GOVERNOR, YAHAYA BELLO WARNS YOUTHS
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has warned youths in the country that another round of #Endsars protest would be premature and counte-productive to the economy.
This comes on the heels of reports stating that some individuals and groups are planning to commence a violent protest, a replica of the #ENDSARS demonstrations that escalated and led to loss of lives and destruction of properties.
Recall that in October, Nigerians took to the media and the streets to express their displeasure and grievances against the harassment, extortion, and extra judicial killings from operatives of SARS.
However, the peaceful demonstrations were hijacked by hoodlums who unleashed violence on defenceless citizens, looting and destroying properties in the process.
Reacting in a statement on Sunday, December 6, the Governor stated that the country is not ripe for another round of demonstrations against police brutality.
Governor Bello said the youth should consolidate on the gains of the protest by fully participating in various judicial panels of inquiry set up by the State Governments.
He said; “In the face of all this and as the first sitting governor who publicly upheld the rights of our youths to protest against police brutality, I cannot in all good conscience agree that the time is ripe for another round of #EndSARS protests.
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“I deem another round of #EndSARS protests to be premature and counter-productive at this time. Apart from the higher likelihood of conflict with the police earlier canvassed, we must also admit that the security situation in the country is very precarious at the moment.
“All patriots must therefore make conscious efforts not to degrade a parlous security situation further. Nationwide protests at this time will only overburden the load-bearing capabilities of our security architecture increasing the likelihood of total collapse. No matter the narrative, I doubt that out-of-control anarchy is an objective of the #EndSARS protests.”
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Bello said the youth should note that the country’s economy is bleeding owing to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is pertinent to mention that the Lagos State Police Command warned all persons and groups to desist from any form of gathering, procession or protests that could lead to violence.
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