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As youths take to the streets in the second phase of the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has warned against any act of hooliganism.
President Buhari, in a statement on Monday, acknowledged Nigerians’ rights to peaceful demonstration. He, however, warned against acts that may endanger the peace and stability in the country.
“I want to reiterate our government’s commitment to the rights of citizens to embark on peaceful protests,” Buhari said while declaring open the Chief of Army Staff’s Annual Conference 2020 in Abuja.
“However, this must be done responsibly and in accordance with the laws of the land.
“I also wish to state that any act of hooliganism hiding behind lawful and peaceful protests will be dealt with decisively to ensure the peace and stability of our nation.”
The president comment follows a plan by some Nigerians to take to the streets in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and other cities from today in continuation of the #EndSARS protest.
Organisers of the fresh protests said the second phase was to demand, among other things, the release of all protesters detained during the first action; unfreezing of all accounts that were frozen by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as a result of #EndSARS protest and a referendum.
Buhari also commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for quelling the violence that trailed the #EndSARS protests.
“I commend the Armed Force for their efforts which helped restore law and order in many states during the large-scale criminality that ensued in the wake of the #EndSARS protests,” he said.
He also commended the Army for its unwavering commitment towards curtailing the activities of insurgents, armed bandits, kidnappers, cattle rustlers and other violent criminals through ongoing exercises and operations in different parts of the country.
