President Muhammadu Buhari has said his administration will decisively deal with any act of hooliganism hiding behind peaceful protests.
Buhari stated this on Monday while remotely declaring open the Chief of Army Staff’s Annual Conference 2020 themed, ‘Human Capacity Development in Sustaining Professionalism and Responsiveness of the Nigerian Army in the Discharge of its Constitutional Roles.’.
The president said that although his administration recognised the rights of citizens to embark on peaceful protests, such must be done responsibly.
Buhari who spoke at a time when reports of renewed #EndSARS protests regretted the violence that followed the last protests.
He said, “Let me also mention the EndSARS protest which was recently hijacked by hoodlums which resulted in the loss of lives and property in many situations across the country.
“I want to reiterate our government’s commitment to the rights of citizens to embark on peaceful protests.
“However, this must be done responsibly in accordance with the laws of the land.
“I also want to state that any act of hooliganism hiding behind the peaceful protests, will be highly dealt with decisively to ensure the peace and stability of our nation.
“On this note, I commend the Nigeria Army for their efforts to swiftly restore law and order in many states during the last scale of criminality that ensued in the wake of the EndSARS protests.”
Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity released a statement afterward quoting Buhari as describing 2020 as a challenging year occasioned by the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic
He lamented the negative impact of the virus on almost every facet of national life.
Buhari as quoted by Adesina said, “Despite this, I am pleased to note that the Army remained resolute in the discharge of its Constitutional roles and in keeping the wealth and welfare of our soldiers a priority.
“The Army’s support of civil authorities in the management of the COVID – 19 pandemic is a case in point.
“The peaceful elections conducted in Edo and Ondo States would not have been achieved without the high level of professionalism displayed by all security agencies, including the Army,”