The honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has reacted to the violence that has trailed the EndSARS protest; insisting that the movement could be exercised in a civilised way.
The minister said this in the wake of a reported attack on Governor Gboyega Oyetola and some of his cabinet members by some hoodlums during the EndSARS protest in Osogbo, Osun state.
Speaking on a TV programme titled, “EndSARS Protest: The Way Forward;” the minister said, “Peaceful protest is an integral part of democracy and that is why the Federal Government in the last 11 days has treated the protesters in a very civilised manner.
The minister added that the protests have gone beyond being peaceful because lives have been lost and innocent Nigerians, including workers and students, are passing through harrowing experiences
He noted that the incident which occurred in Osun state had gone beyond a peaceful protest and against excesses and abuse of power by the police.
The Heritage Times had earlier reported incidence various attacks on protesters and destruction of vehicles by thugs during the EndSARS protest in Abuja and Lagos.
While insisting that the protests had been hijacked by hoodlums and people with ulterior agenda, Mohammed noted that there was no way the government would fold its arms and allow the country to descend into anarchy.
“We have nothing against peaceful protest but there are civilised ways of doing so.
“This is by going to a venue where you are not going to disturb other Nigerians because where your own right stops, other persons’ right begins,” he said
