The Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) and the Yoruba One Voice, on Sunday expressed shock and dismay at alleged Federal Government plans to deploy the Armed Forces under the guise of “Operation Crocodile Smile” with the sole aim to quell the popular #ENDSARS protests across the country.
The groups, in a joint statement, said that the federal government should note that “the protests are a clear testament to failure of leadership. We fully endorse the #ENDSARS protests. We commend Nigerian youths for again rising to the occasion to redirect the drifting ship of state.”
The statement, signed by Ms. Christy Ekama, for IPOB and Mr Zacheus Somorin for Yoruba One Voice, said that “the Federal Government must immediately rescind its decision to deploy the Armed Forces to truncate legitimate protests by Nigerians. This is contrary to international law.
“The Federal Government must not add to the gruesome bloodletting by the discredited SARS operatives through the ill-advised deployment of the Armed Forces.
“We will hold the Buhari Administration and its officials responsible for any killings occasioned by the deployment of the Armed Forces to quell legitimate civil protests.
“We call on the United Nations and the international community to take particular interest in the #ENDSARS protests and the planned deployment of the Armed Forces, and to hold Nigerian officials to account for any infringement of civil rights.
“The Armed Forces must be reminded that their loyalty is to the Nigerian state. The era of regime protection is gone forever.
“We commend Nigerian youths for their courage and sacrifices in the face of police brutality, joblessness, insecurity, extra-judicial killings and hopelessness. We stand in solidarity with you in the struggle for a better future.”
