The Muslim Congress (TMC) and Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) said #EndSARS protest is justified following the failure of the police authority to curb the high-handedness of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad formation.
The Islamic groups bemoaned the police unfulfilled promises to tackle the high-handedness of its personnel.
Rather than make headway, the high-handedness, they said, became worse “leading to what we are witnessing today. It is given that when you continually push people to the limits, it is certain that they are going to fight back through the type of protests that we have witnessed in the last few days.”
TMC Amir Dr Luqman AbdurRaheem said the people have the right to protest whatever they feel is not going well in the country.
“We commend the President Muhammadu Buhari, for his assurance that the disbandment of SARS is the first necessary step towards extensive reforms in the police. We also commend the courage of the Nigeria Police leadership in coming up with the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit. But upon the announcement of SWAT, the protesters came up with #EndSWAT. This is to show that the protest is not just about the brutality by the former SARS but rather the brutality in the rank and file of the Nigeria Police. We urge the Nigeria Police to be on the same page with the protesters that what is imperative is putting a stop to brutality across the entire policing architecture,” he said.
AbdurRaheem urged the protesters to sheathe their swords and return home knowing that they have contributed their part and made tangible sacrifices for a peaceful nation.
MURIC, however, cautioned hoodlums and politicians against hijacking the protest for their selfish and parochial agenda.
Its Director, Prof Ishaq Akintola, maintained that protesters should now disperse since the government has listened to them by disbanding the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) which the youth accused of highhandedness.
Akintola added: “We appeal to protesters to disperse and go home. The organisers must take responsibility. There is no reason why #endSARS protest should metamorphose into any other demand or movement. Nigeria needs a completely peaceful atmosphere to recover from the bruises of COVID-19. This is why a large scale protest must be avoided at all cost. We note with grave concern the likely fallout of such a development as there could be a total breakdown of law and order leading to looting of properties and general chaos. Any attempt to prolong the protest after the disbandment of SARS is a clear invitation to anarchy.
“We call on the Nigerian Police to protect innocent Nigerians and to ensure that the protest is not hijacked by hoodlums. The police should equally employ minimum force in the process in order to avoid any loss of life.” (The Nation)
