The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre has referred to as for the safety of protesters amid rising considerations that the demonstrations have been hijacked by prison parts and political actors with nefarious intentions.
In an announcement on Friday in Abuja, the Govt Director of CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani, condemned the hijack of the peaceable protest in some locations.
Whereas calling for the safety of protesters, he, nevertheless, urged them to not destroy properties and public infrastructure.
Musa expressed deep concern over the deteriorating safety scenario and the affect of non-state actors in a number of states, together with Kano.
He mentioned the scenario, noticed by CISLAC’s scenario room, indicated that safety operatives had been being influenced by political interference linked to native rivalries, resulting in insufficient safety of peaceable protesters.
“The peaceable demonstrations by Nigerians, initially meant to precise respectable grievances, have sadly been hijacked and become violent chaos.
“Prison parts are exploiting the protests to create additional unrest and undermine public security,” he mentioned.
CISLAC boss emphasised that the federal government should chorus from politicising safety measures, notably in Kano, and prioritise the safety of lives and properties.
Including that the violence and destruction at the moment witnessed had been opposite to the intentions of the peaceable protesters.
Musa condemned provocative statements made by public officers, which in accordance with him, have exacerbated tensions and incited additional unrest.
“Reckless and provocative statements by public officers can incite Nigerians to take to the streets. Such statements undermine the legitimacy of the protesters’ considerations and must be prevented,” he mentioned.
He criticised the federal government’s alleged sponsorship of counter-protests geared toward undermining the respectable demonstrations.
“The federal government’s actions have endangered peaceable protesters, resulting in assaults and hijacking by thugs and non-state actors,”
he mentioned.
He mentioned CISLAC had beforehand referred to as on the federal government to make sure the safety of peaceable protesters, a measure that, if correctly applied, might have prevented the present state of chaos.
“We’ve noticed troubling developments and urge real protesters to proceed their demonstrations peacefully to stop criminals from exploiting the scenario.
“We attraction to all Nigerians to keep away from any violent, prison, and political destruction. The protests, meant to handle respectable considerations, shouldn’t be equated with prison actions and violence,” Musa mentioned.
He mentioned CISLAC remained dedicated to advocating the safety of residents’ rights and guaranteeing that their voices had been heard in a protected and peaceable method.
NAN.