Senate
*** As Senate in Marathon Meeting with IGP, DSS DG
By Henry Umoru
ABUJA- THE Senate has pleaded with religious , political, ethnic leaders in Nigeria and across regional divide to help stop the on going protests across the country by the youths who are expressing anger against the activities of the notorious Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and bad governance.
The Senate while expressing worry by the crisis bedeviling the country from the seemingly unending #EndSARs protests in many parts of the country, said that what started as a very legitimate peaceful protests on equally legitimate demands, has turned violent and completely hijacked by those who do not know what the #EndSARS Protesters came out for in the first place .
READ ALSO#EndSARS: Again, NECO reschedules examination
Speaking yesterday in Abuja when he had a marathon meeting with the Inspector General of Police , Mohammad Adamu and Director General of the Department of State Services , Yusuf Magaji Bichi, President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan said that the intervention of leaders at all levels in putting a stop to the protests has become very imperative.
Lawan who had meeting with the security chiefs along with the entire leadership of the Senate, said, “The time has come for the hijacked protests to stop , requiring intervention of leaders at all levels across the country regardless of religious , ethinic , political etc , differences.
” Those who started the protests are no doubt, Patriots , the very reason the Senate in its first resolution on it two weeks ago , supported them and called on the Federal government to accede to their five – point demand.
” Also at that time , President Muhamnadu Buhari also responded well by not only endorsing the disbandment of Special Anti Robbery Squad ( SARS) but declaring that holistic reform would be carried out in the Police.
” Our appeal to Nigerians at this time , particularly leaders , is to join government in bringing an end to the now hijacked protests , for government to address the issues raised before violence set in.”
The President of the Senate who noted that Nigerians should not allow themselves to be taken in the wrong direction as being witnessed in some states of the federation, said, ” The Senate at any time , supports legitimate and peaceful protests by any Nigerian or group of Nigerians but not in support of any violent protest”, he stressed.
The IGP however declined speaking with journalists when approached for comments on situations on ground.
