#EndSARS: We Condemns violence, killings in Niger-Delta - South-South Group Emphasised

By The9jaTrend

A non-political group in the Niger-Delta region, the South-South Legacy Group, has condemned the violence and killings that have trailed the #EndSARS protest in the region and other states across the country, and declared the ugly incidents as unacceptable.

In a press statement signed by the spokespersons of the group, Osagie Aiguobasinwin and Hon. Camilus Okosun, the South-South Legacy Group deplored last Monday's protests in Benin City which rendered the ancient City postrate

‎The South-South Legacy Group, which activities focus on continued peaceful co-existence, growth and development of states in the South-South region and the country, threw its weight behind the peaceful protests and the actualisation of the five-point demand of the protesters.

"We cannot continue to denying the fact that the state of the nation, politically and economically does not put smiles on the faces of the people at this point in time which may have justified the upward review of the 5-point demands to accommodate issues like  the SARS unit of the police force scraped, erring members tried, convicted and dismissed or jailed as the case may be; end police brutality and victimisation of Nigerian youth and other innocent Nigerians, remodel the Nigerian Police Force to be people friendly and work for the people as proper reorientation is recommended, compensation to be paid to the victims of scrapped SARS living or dead and better pay packet for the officers and men of the police force, amongst others.

"The point that the protesters might have left out for consideration “is the inability to quickly know that for the Federal Government to have quickly acceded to their demands, is an indication for dialogue, even when the peaceful protest is still ongoing.

"It more heart breaking and unacceptable to us as a people for anyone to turn the rein of terror against our people. We will not accept this and Edo, as well as the other South-South states’ people both at home, across Nigeria and in Diaspora should stand up in unison to condemn the criminal invasion, destruction and setting ablaze of police stations in Benin."

"As a group, we stand up to condemn the invasion of the two correctional facilities in Benin as well as releasing  of inmates into the society. These hoodlums made away with ammunition and other firearms. You will want to ask for what intention would it be put into if not for criminality.

"The actions of the miscreants who hid under the aegis of #ENDSARS protests on Monday, 19th October, 2020 in Benin City is unacceptable, barbaric, lawless, inhumane, and a far cry from the reason, principle and philosophy of the #ENDSARS agitation should be condemned.

We urged the protesters to go to the negotiating table adding that the economic and political situation may have necessitated the elongation of the demands of the protesting youth.

"There is no denying the fact that the state of the nation, politically and economically does not put smiles on the faces of the people at this point in time which may have justified the upward review of the 5point demands to accommodate issues like electricity, hike in fuel pump price, corruption, among many others.

"Don't forget that no war ever ended on the battlefield, rather issues are negotiated in the interest of peace, concord and development, which one has expected the organizers to have keyed into to press home their other points,"

While commending Edo State Government for the measures put in place to douse the tension and restore order to the state, the group called for the enforcement of the curfew within the rules of engagement of security agencies in accordance with global best practices.