Organised Civil Society Condemns Violence Against Peaceful Protesters, Demands Release of Detained Leaders
The organised Civil Society under the aegis of the United Action Front of Civil Society has strongly condemned the continued use of violence against peaceful protesters and the abduction of protest leaders by security agents in Nigeria.
In a statement released on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, the civil society expressed its outrage over the high-handed and oppressive actions of security agents and politically sponsored thugs who have consistently disrupted and dispersed lawful assemblies of peaceful protesters.
The statement, signed by Olawale Okunniyi, Head of the Coordinating Secretariat, highlighted reports from protest field monitors in Abuja, Lagos, and other cities, which revealed that security agents and thugs have been using unwarranted force to disperse peaceful protesters, despite a court order designating the Moshood Abiola Stadium as the venue for the anti-hunger protests.
The organization specifically demanded the immediate release of Mr. Micheal Lenin and other protest leaders who are still being detained and tortured by security agents.
Lenin was abducted from his residence in the dead of night, along with other leaders, following their criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s address to the nation.
The United Action Front of Civil Society warned that the use of violence and detention of protest leaders could drive peaceful protests underground and lead to violent engagements with the state.
The organization emphasized that history has shown that those who make peaceful protests impossible often make violent ones inevitable.
The statement also condemned the use of thugs to attack protesters in Lagos and Abuja, resulting in injuries to several unarmed and defenseless protesters.
The organised civil society expressed disappointment over the resort to violence by the police in most northern states and the use of curfews to frustrate citizens’ civil rights to express their dissatisfaction with government policies.
The body called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately intervene by calling those involved to order and initiating dialogue with protest leaders on their key demands.
The statement emphasized that the growing show of force by security agents and the undemocratic use of state power by sub-national authorities are unacceptable and subversive of the democratic will of the citizens.
The United Action Front of Civil Society reiterated its commitment to promoting peaceful protests and protecting the civil rights of citizens, urging the government to respect the rights of citizens to express their dissatisfaction with government policies.
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