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#EndSARS protesters have been calling for reforms in Nigeria’s security forces
The President of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has called for a cool head to prevail in the #EndSARS impasse in Nigeria.
He has also called for calm in the growing tension and violence in parts of Nigeria that have claimed some lives.
President Akufo-Addo said he joined all well-meaning people in calling for calm and the use of dialogue to resolve the #EndSARS impasse in the largest ECOWAS country.
Protest against SARS
Using the social media hashtag #EndSars to rally crowds to protest against the special police unit, the Special Anti-Theft Squad (SARS), the protesters have been relentless in their protest, insisting on the complete dissolution of the unit.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, in reaction, announced on October 11 that the special unit had been disbanded, but protests have continued, with demands for more changes in the security forces, as well as reforms in the way the security is handled. country.
According to media reports, things came to a head last Tuesday when uniformed men allegedly opened fire on a crowd of around 1,000 protesters in Lekki, a suburb of Lagos.
Yesterday, the BBC reported that some buildings had been burned down and shots were fired as well, as tensions escalated.
Violence is not the solution
Posting on his Facebook wall, President Akufo-Addo called for calm and urged everyone to allow a peaceful resolution of the problem, as the Nigerian president had committed to reform, emphasizing that violence was not the solution.
“I have spoken with President Buhari, who is committed to this end, and has started the processes that will lead to reform.
“Violence, whether from the police or protesters, cannot be the solution,” hinted President Akufo-Addo.
The ECOWAS president also sympathized with the families of the victims of the violent consequences and also wished the injured a speedy recovery.
“To the families who have lost loved ones, I express my sincere condolences and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” he said.
ECOWAS
Meanwhile, the ECOWAS Commission has also noted with concern the disturbing incidents that are taking place in Nigeria.
The commission, in a statement, expressed its condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives during the protests and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
He said that while the regional body recognized the right of citizens to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and protests, it also wishes to emphasize that those rights must be exercised in a non-violent manner.
“In this regard, the ECOWAS Commission calls on all protesters to keep the peace in conducting their demonstrations,” the statement said, urging Nigerian security officials to exercise restraint in handling protests and act professionally.
The commission further noted that in an effort to address the demands of protesting youth, the Nigerian Federal Government made important decisions regarding the dissolution of SARS, comprehensive police reforms and the investigation of cases of police brutality.
He encouraged the Nigerian authorities to carry out investigations.
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The African Union has also condemned the violence and urged political and social actors to respect human rights and the rule of law.
AU Commission Chairman Moussa Faki praised the dissolution of the Special Anti-Theft Brigade (Sars) and encouraged investigations to ensure that “perpetrators of violence are held accountable.”
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Likewise, the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), António Guterres, has called for an end to what he called “brutality” by the police in Nigeria.
He urged the security forces to act with the utmost restraint and also urged protesters to refrain from violence.
A UN spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, said: “The Secretary-General urges the security forces to act at all times with the utmost restraint, while calling on protesters to demonstrate peacefully and refrain from violence.”
Dujarric also said that the UN chief had also called on Nigerian authorities to investigate alleged incidents of violence and brutality by the security forces and hold the perpetrators accountable.
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