The Yoruba traditional religions practitioners under the umbrella of Isese Assembly has condemned the killing of unarmed protesters by officers of the Nigerian Army.
The socio-cultural group of the Yoruba, the predominant people of the Southwest Nigeria condemned the attack on innocent Nigerian youths who were protesting against police brutality and extrajudicial killings.
The group made this known on Thursday in statement signed by its leader, Oluwo Aderemi Ifaoleepin.
The group added that the youth were at the receiving end of any bad governance, noting that the protest was a welcome development from well-meaning Nigerians, considering the manner and coordination of the protest.
The statement alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari has not handle the protest properly, which has resulted into violence and vandalism in many parts of the country.
Although SARS was disbanded by the Federal Government on October 12, the protesters insisted that government had not met their demands, which included release of all persons arrested and justice for victims of police brutality and setting up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct (within 10 days).
Other demands included psychological evaluation of all the disbanded SARS operatives before being redeployed and police salary should be increased.
The protests, however, took another tragic dimension on Tuesday when officers of the Nigerian Army shot protesters, who were holding Nigerian flags and singing Nigeria anthem in Lakki, Lagos. Scores of protesters were killed in Lagos and other part of the country by security agents and hoodlums.
Also, several police men were reportedly killed in the violence.
However, on Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari, in his address to the country, was silent on the Nigerian soldiers opening fire on unarmed protesters.
The Isese Assembly then called on the traditional leaders across the country to identify and join hands with the youth in advocating for better Nigeria.
The statement reads in part, “What these youths are agitating for are things that will make the country better for all the citizens. Police brutality, nepotism, ineptitude, and corruption which have become other of the day are not good for the development and unity of the country.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms, attacks launched by the Nigerian military on unarmed young people, who have been peacefully protesting police brutality over the last 13 days as #EndSARS protests across Nigeria. We the Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Community in general frown at the attack on the peaceful protesters and innocent citizens by the government and military authorities; it’s a slap on any democratic settings. It’s a big shame.
“We call on the Federal Government to painstakingly investigate the unfortunate massacre at Lekki Toll gate, VI, Lagos and other parts of the country, and also give justice, appropriately, and engage the #EndSARS protesters in a more civil manner to address all the issues and their reasonable demands.
“We strongly advise the Federal Government to stop silencing the voice of truth, do the needful, and also strive to make the country conducive for all the citizens.
“We also pray for the bereaved and the souls of the departed who died while trying to make the country a better place.”
