The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has waded into the chaos in neighbouring Nigeria, calling for calm to prevail.
According to the President, violence from any quarters would not solve the current situation in the country.
President Akufo-Addo says he has called his colleague, President Buhari of Nigeria, who has committed to ensure peace.
In a post on his Facebook page, President Akufo-Addo said: “I join all well-meaning persons in calling for calm and the use of dialogue in resolving the #EndSARS impasse in Nigeria.
“I have spoken with President Buhari, who is committed to this end and has begun the processes that will lead to reform.”
He continued: “Violence, be it on the part of the police or protesters cannot be the solution. To the families who have lost their loved ones, I express my sincere condolences, and I wish the injured a speedy recovery.”
Earlier, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission had also issued a statement and appealed to the government and people of Nigeria to urgently pursue dialogue for an amicable resolution.
Signed by the President of the Commission, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, the release noted with concern that demonstrations by Nigerian youth calling for police reform had turned violent. “ECOWAS Commission expresses its condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives during the protests, and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.
“While ECOWAS Commission recognises the right of citizens to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and protests, it is also of the view that those rights should be exercised in a non-violent manner. In this regard, ECOWAS Commission calls on all protesters to remain peaceful in the conduct of their demonstrations.
“It also urges the Nigerian security operatives to exercise restraint in the handling of the protests and act professionally,” the statement asserted.
It continued: “ECOWAS Commission further notes that, in an effort to address the demands of the protesting youth, the Federal Government of Nigeria took important decisions regarding disbandment of SARS, comprehensive police reforms, and investigation of cases of police brutality. It encourages the Nigerian authorities to conduct the investigation rapidly.
“Finally, ECOWAS Commission appeals to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Nigerian youth and the civil society to urgently pursue dialogue for an early and amicable resolution of this social unrest, and maintain the Nigerian image as a bastion of law and order.”
What happened?
In early October, a video went viral on social media showing a SARS officer allegedly attacking a man in Delta State. The video was shared massively online and thousands of citizens started telling their own stories of police abuse.
SARS is the abbreviation for the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a Nigerian Police Unit that has been tasked over the past three decades with fighting violent crimes, including banditry and kidnapping.
Some Nigerians hit the streets to demonstrate for the repeal of SARS, which has been accused of unlawful detention, extortion and extra-judicial killings. As part of the protest, a campaign has been launched on social media, with the hashtag “EndSARS.”
Bowing to the pressure of the people, President Muhammadu Buhari announced on October 11 that SARS would be dissolved with immediate effect.
He said the move was “only the first step” in more extensive reforms to Nigeria’s police. A new SWAT unit was announced to replace SARS, with the promise that it will be “ethical”.
The government said police abuse will be investigated and prosecuted, but these announcements have not appeased the protesters.
After the government announced the unit would be dissolved, thousands of mainly young protesters have stayed out on the streets pushing for genuine change in the country.
On Monday, a crowd of people stormed a prison in Benin City and freed about 200 inmates. Protesters have also attacked police stations and vehicles in various parts of the country.
There was a violent crackdown by the police on some of the protesters. At least, 10 people were killed and hundreds injured, according to Amnesty International.
The brutal response drew even more people onto the streets and emboldened the protesters to push their demands further.
The post Violence Can’t Solve Nigeria Problems -Prez appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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