Community Advocacy Appeals For Calm, Says Message Of protesters Delivered 

The Community Advocacy for Peace and Strategic Leadership Initiative (CAPSLI), has appealed for calm as the nationwide protests continue, saying the message the authentic protesters intended to pass to the authorities, has been well received.

The group in a press release on Friday condemned the killings, destruction of business concerns, as well as looting of valuables.

The press release by CAPSLI National Chairman, Akwuobi Francis and National Secretary Pius Pamela, regretted that the demonstrations turned bloody, even as law abiding and patriotic citizens were denied access to their means of livelihood.

CAPSLI said that at the last count, no fewer than 17 people were reported killed, with scores injured in the protests that were hijacked by non-state actors across eight states, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

While acknowledging the rights of Nigerians to peaceful Assembly and expression, said such rights were, in themselves, not absolute, as the Constitution imposes duties and obligations.

Specifically, the group drew attention to the appeals made by security agencies against the planned protests, expressing concern about the possibility of subversive and unpatriotic elements infiltrating the ranks of peaceful demonstrators, thereby unleashing the kind of terror that was seen yesterday.

Consequently, the non-profit group made a passionate appeal to the organisers of the protests to, in the collective interest of the nation, suspend further actions.

“Our appeal is founded on the potential threat that the violence of yesterday brings to bear on national security, peace and public safety.

“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?

“Do you regret your 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, while supporting the people-oriented efforts of government geared towards bettering their lots”.

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