The Directorate of Communications in ECOWAS disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
ECOWAS
noted with concern how the peaceful protest by Nigerian youth calling
for police reform, particularly the abolition of the Special
Anti-Robbery Squad had turned violent.
The
statement reads, “ECOWAS Commission notes with concern that
demonstrations by Nigerian youth calling for police reform, particularly
the abolition of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police,
accused of misconduct by those demonstrating, have turned violent.
“ECOWAS
Commission expresses its condolences to the families and friends of
those who have lost their lives during the protests and wishes the
injured a speedy recovery.
While
ECOWAS Commission recognises the right of citizens to freedom of
expression and peaceful assembly and protests, it also wishes to stress
that those rights should be exercised in a non-violent manner. In this
regard, ECOWAS Commission calls on all protesters to remain peaceful in
the conduct of their demonstrations. It also urges the Nigerian security
operatives to exercise restraint in the handling of the protests and
act professionally.
“ECOWAS
Commission further notes that, in an effort to address the demands of
the protesting youth, the Federal Government of Nigeria took important
decisions regarding disbandment of SARS, comprehensive police reforms
and investigation of cases of police brutality. It encourages the
Nigerian Authorities to conduct the investigation rapidly.
“Finally,
ECOWAS Commission appeals to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the
Nigerian youth and the civil society to urgently pursue dialogue for an
early and amicable resolution of this social unrest and maintain the
Nigerian image as a bastion of law and order.”
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