A coalition of organised Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) under the umbrella of United Action Front of Civil Society has condemned the killings of protesters in Kaduna and Suleja.
Olawale Okunniyi, Head, Coordinating Secretariat, United Action Front, in a press release stated that report reaching the Civil Society Situation Room, monitoring incidents and ethical compliance with civil Protests during the mass protests on Hunger and hardships in Nigeria from Kaduna, has it on good authority that two protesters have been shot dead by security agents at the Kaduna State Government House, Badikko.
The statement read, “Again, at least six protesters have also been reportedly killed while some sustained injuries in the ongoing protest in Suleja, Niger State.
“The victims were said to have been killed while security operatives were struggling to dislodge a group of protesters who mounted barricades on a section of Abuja-Kaduna highway.
“We condemn in the strongest terms these extra judicial killings of protesters in spite of the assurances of police high command to leaders of the Civil Society during a consultative meeting on Tuesday,”
In a related development Okunniyi noted that the peaceful protest in Abuja has been disrupted by both pro government protesters and security agents, who first forced citizens protesting hardship and sufferings in Nigeria out of Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, Venue designated by government for the anti-Hunger protesters when security agents led pro-government protesters in about 15 Coater Buses to Moshood Abiola Stadium to clash with citizens protesting against hunger
“The protesters sensing danger and possible violent clash, decided to quietly move in peaceful procession to the Eagle Square, where they had earlier designated to hold their peaceful protest.
“On getting to the Eagle Square, security agents swooped on them and unleashed mayhem on peaceful protesters with tear gas canisters, injuring several unarmed and defenceless protesters with three protesters reported to have fainted.
“As Leaders and Conscience of our country, we condemned strongly this resort to violence by the Police in Abuja, Lekki, Kaduna and other centres in the country contrary to the assurances given to us by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun during our consultative meeting with him on Tuesday.
“We find this show of force and reckless use of force unacceptable and barbaric and therefore call on the IGP to immediately call his men to order before the situation degenerates beyond control,” he added.
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