BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
THIRTY-SIX members of the National Assembly have condemned the killing of peaceful protesters across Nigeria, especially at the Lekki Tollgate on Tuesday night.
The legislators asked President Muhammadu Buhari to identify the soldiers who carried out the carnage and bring them to justice.
The statement, jointly signed on Wednesday by four members of the Senate and 32 members of the Federal House of Representatives, called on the President to urgently identify the soldiers involved and prosecute them for murder.
The lawmakers include Senator Olu Adetunmbi, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, Senator Tolu Odebiyi, and Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru of the Upper Chamber.
Members of the House of Representatives, who co-signed the statement, are: Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Hon. Rimamnde Shawulu Kwewum, Hon. Francis Waive, Hon. Peter Akpatason, Hon. Umeoji Chukwuma, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, Hon. Abubakar Hassan Nalaraba, Hon Francis Ottah Agbo, Hon. Unyime Idem, Hon. Omowumi Olubunmi Ogunlola, Hon. Ibrahim Kunle Olarewaju, Hon. Segius Ogun, Hon. Preye Oseke, Hon. Ibrahim Obanikoro, Hon. Ifeanyi Chudy Momah, and Hon. Bamidele Salam.
Others are Hon. Dennis Idahosa, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, Hon. Benjamin Bem Mzondu, Hon. Timehin Adelegbe, Hon. Taiwo Olukemi Oluga, Hon. Ben Kalu, Hon. Amos Magaji, Hon Olododo Cook Abdulganiyu Saka, Hon. Igariwey Iduma Enwo, Hon. Olubukola Oyewo, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe Oluyole, Hon. Uzoma Nkem Abonta, Hon. Wole Oke, Hon. Miriam Onuoha, and Hon. Satomi Alhaji Ahmed.
They said, “We have followed carefully the #EndSARS protest by young people across Nigeria for the past two weeks and the killings in several cities, including Jos, Kaduna, Abuja, Benin and Lagos.
“We are appalled by the reliance on force, intimidation and manipulation by government and security agencies in attempt to break the protest rather than utilising globally recognised methods of policing in a democratic society.
“We are enraged by reports of shooting of unarmed, defenceless protesters by military officers at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos after the lights were turned off and CCTV cameras put off. We call on the President to give an immediate order to all security agencies to stop shooting at protesters.
“We condemn this action by government and security agencies. This is inexcusable and totally unacceptable. There is no justification whatsoever for security officials who are paid with tax payers’ money to kill unarmed protesters.
“We call on the President to address the nation and take concrete actions to respond to the demand of the protesters. He should commit in words and action to respect and protect the right to protest. He should publicly invite the leaders of the protesters to an urgent dialogue while assuring them of their safety and that outcomes would be expeditiously implemented.
“We demand that the perpetrators of this dastardly act and all those who gave the orders should be brought to account in a transparent and accountable manner. We ask the President to immediately identify all the officers involved and prosecute them for murder.
“We also condemn the attack and burning of properties of innocent citizens and government. We call on government to respond expeditiously to demand of the protesters and other lingering issues of addressing the security architecture of the country and addressing revelations of corruption in many government agencies. As patriots, we will not keep quiet while the country is plunged into crisis under any guise. A stitch in time saves nine.”
