By John Ikani
The Federal Government of Nigeria and Governors of the 36 states of the Federation have appealed to youths planning to stage a protest to mark the first anniversary of the #EndSARS protests, to consider other lawful alternative means of engagement.
They have also resolved to compensate victims of the #ENDSARS protests that rocked several states in October last year, as well as prosecute all persons indicted by the panels set up to investigate the protests.
These were some of the resolutions of the National Economic Council (NEC) Friday at its monthly virtual meeting, attended by the state governors with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo presiding.
The council also has Ministers in charge of the economy, as well as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as members.
NEC argued that with the current security situation across the country, there was the possibility of such protests being hijacked by armed hoodlums and other opportunistic criminals to cause mayhem at such protest events and venues.
A communiqué issued at the end of the NEC meeting, signed by the Media Assistant to the Vice President, Laolu Akande, stated that upon the receipt of reports from judicial panels, regarding EndSARS protests, set up in 28 States across the country and in the FCT, the NEC resolved that payment of compensation to victims should proceed in each state, in collaboration with the federal government, establishing the modalities for the settlement of all monetary compensations awarded by the panels.
The NEC also unanimously resolved to ensure the prosecution of persons indicted by the panels.
“The Council specifically directed states “to immediately forward copies of final reports of the panels to their Attorneys-General for prompt arraignment and prosecution of all indicted persons.
“Where incidents in the reports relate to matters of discipline, in addition to prosecution, NEC urged the Nigeria Police Force to take disciplinary action on the affected officers in line with the provisions of the Police Act 2020,” states the communiqué.
NEC members also strongly advised those planning protests to mark the anniversary of the ENDSARS riots to reconsider the option in view of “current security situation across the country and the possibility of such protests being hijacked by armed hoodlums and other opportunistic criminals to cause mayhem at such protest events and venues.”
It adds: “Organisers of the planned protests should explore the various channels of communication with government at various levels to advance their positions and avert the breakdown of law and order that may result from such public protests.”
