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 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,” he said.
The group regretted that the demonstrations turned bloody, adding that the law abiding and patriotic citizens were denied access to their means of livelihood.
According to the CSO, while it acknowledges the rights of Nigerians to peaceful assembly and expression, such rights are, in themselves, not absolute, as the constitution imposes duties and obligations.
It said that Thursday’s violence confirmed the reason why security agencies appealed against the planned protests, that it might be hijacked by subversive and unpatriotic elements to unleash terror, and wanton destruction.
The group, therefore, appealed 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.
“We are inclined ask the organisers the following questions to wit: Are you comfortable with the reports that at least 17 people were gruesomely killed?
“Was it in your original plan that properties should be destroyed, with accompanying stealing and looting of valuables?” asked the group.
It wondered whether or not the planners of the protest regretted their failure to heed earlier calls by security agencies, and other authorities of government, to drop the protest option, following security threat analysis of likely hijack by hoodlums.
“In all honesty, would you say that the Federal Government, especially, has not activated measures to address some of the issues that you claimed necessitated your actions, in the first instance?
“While you reflect deeply on the above posers, we urge parents and guardians to prevail on their children/wards to resist attempts by unpatriotic elements to use them as cannon fodder.
“As we urge everyone to support the people-oriented efforts of government geared towards bettering their lots,” the statement said.
By Sumaila Ogbaje, NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA