President Muhammadu Buhari has finally spoken over the purported shooting of peaceful #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki gate in Lagos state last week Tuesday. The president came under serious criticism after his nationwide broadcast on Thursday when he could not speak about the incident.
The presidential spokesperson on Media, Mallam Garba Shehu in a statement stated that Mr president deliberately refused to speak on the matter because the evidence was sketchy.
However, he extended his support to the judicial panel of inquiry set up by the Lagos state government saying it will assist the nation in giving justice to the protesters.
Buhari condemned the wise spread attack and organized looting that left both private and government property devastated, warning that such activities are inimical to the public good.
He called on both religious leaders and community leaders to raise up against organized crime of such kind as being witnessed across the country.
His statement partly reads; “A government that has launched a massive crackdown on corruption, brought in strong laws for a decisive battle against corruption, pursued loot recovery at home and abroad, and taken strong decisions against those who thought they were above the law, will not fold its arms when an otherwise legitimate and peaceful protest is turning into free-for-all vandalism and looting.
“While the administration has, for its part, blocked so many means of looting public money in a war against corruption, it is the expectation that all civil authorities, community and religious leaders in the country must rise against the organized looting and plunder we are witnessing in parts of the country. Families must turn back children who bring home unaccounted goods, in the same way, wives must ask their husbands to return looted items brought home.
Meanwhile, Buhari applauded the decision of Lagos state Ministry of Justice on its determination to prosecute 229 suspects arrested for involving in various forms of crimes during the protest.
Moreso, he also condemned the eviction notice purportedly issued by one Adebayo threatening Igbos residing in Lagos to vacate, saying Nigerians to take pride in the fact that our diverse people have been living with one another in harmony for ages.
