#EndBadGovernance protests day 2: CSO condemns violence, appeals for suspension of protests

August 2, 2024
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Community Advocacy for Peace and Strategic Leadership Initiative (CAPSLI) has condemned the violence that characterised the Day One of the nationwide protests in some states of the federation.

CAPSLI, a civil society organisation (CSO), condemned the incidents in a statement by Mr Akwuobi Francis, its National Chairman and Mr Pius Pamela, National Secretary, on Friday in Abuja.

The CSO said the violence had resulted in the death of no fewer than 17 people, destruction of business outlets and looting of valuables.

“Scores are reportedly injured in the protests hijacked by non-state actors across eight states, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),” it said.

The group said the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, on Thursday night, confirmed destruction of property in Kano, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, FCT Abuja, Niger and Jigawa States respectively.

It quoted Egbetokun as saying that police stations had been destroyed.

“There have been attempts to take over government houses, looting of government infrastructure, several warehouses and shops have so far been looted and, in several instances, completely destroyed,” Akwuobi further lamented, regretting that the demonstrations turned bloody even as “law abiding and patriotic citizens were denied access to their means of livelihood.”

While acknowledging the rights of Nigerians to peaceful assembly and expression, the CSO said that yesterday violence confirmed fears in many quarters that the protests might be hijacked by criminal elements to unleash terror, and wanton destruction, appealing to the organisers of the protests to, in the collective interest of the nation, suspend further action.

“We make bold to say that the messages that the authentic protesters intended to pass to the authorities have been well received, hence the need to calm down.”

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