Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has broken his silence on the ongoing violence and shooting/killings at the Lekki Tollgate, Lagos, vowing to get justice for all victims of the ongoing EndSARS protests.
In a statement three-paragraph statement he personally signed, Vice President Osinbajo said: “My heart goes out to all the victims of the Lekki shootings, and also the policemen and all other men and women who lost their lives in the past few days in different parts of Lagos and other states.
“I spoke to some of those in hospital. The pain of these terrible events is palpable in our towns and cities, and some losses are irreplaceable, but we can and will get justice for all of them. I stand with Lagos and all other affected states in these trying times.
“We pray we will never see a repeat of these tragedies in Jesus name. God bless you all.”
This is just as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) called for dialogue between the Federal Government and #EndSARS protesters for an early and amicable resolution of the social unrest.
The Directorate of Communications in the ECOWAS Commission noted with concern how the peaceful protest by Nigerian youths calling for police reform, particularly the abolition of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) had turned violent.
The statement it issued in Abuja said that “while ECOWAS Commission recognises the right of citizens to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and protests, it also wishes to stress that those rights should be exercised in a non-violent manner.
“In this regard, ECOWAS Commission calls on all protesters to remain peaceful in the conduct of their demonstrations. It also urges the Nigerian security operatives to exercise restraint in the handling of the protests and act professionally.
“ECOWAS Commission further notes that, in an effort to address the demands of the protesting youths, the Federal Government of Nigeria took important decisions regarding disbandment of SARS, comprehensive police reforms and investigation of cases of police brutality. It encouraged the Nigerian authorities to conduct the investigation rapidly.
“Finally, the ECOWAS Commission appeals to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Nigerian youths, and the civil society to urgently pursue dialogue for an early and amicable resolution of this social unrest.
“And maintain the Nigerian image as a bastion of law and order,” the ECOWAS Commission said.
The ECOWAS Commission further expressed its condolences to the families and friends of those who had lost their lives during the protests and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Ghanaian President and chairman of ECOWAS of Authority of Heads of State and Government of, President Nana Akufo-Addo, called for calm, just as he urged all sides to embrace dialogue.
According to President Akufo-Addo, “I join all well-meaning persons in calling for calm, and the use of dialogue in resolving the #EndSARS impasse in Nigeria.
“I have spoken with President Buhari, who is committed to this end, and has begun the processes that will lead to reform. Violence, be it on the part of the Police or protesters, cannot be the solution.
“To the families who have lost their loved ones, I express my sincere condolences, and I wish the injured a speedy recovery.”
