By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday cautioned the international community against making hasty pronouncements on the protests rocking the country, spearheaded by youths.
The high-handedness of security operatives in quelling the protests particularly the shooting of unarmed protesters at the Lekki tollgate on Tuesday provoked international outcry.
Former United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, Joe Biden, are some International figures that have advised Buhari against the use of excessive force.
In his 11-minute broadcast, Buhari didn’t mention the killings but warned those he accused of hijacking the protest.
He also cautioned world leaders against hasty conclusions.
“To our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements,” the president said.
Buhari also said some Nigerians mistook as weakness, the swift response of his regime to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, had scrapped the special police unit in the wake of the #EndSARS protests.
Adamu had announced the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team as replacement for the disbanded SARS.
Buhari said, “As a democratic government, we listened to, and carefully evaluated the five-point demands of the protesters. And, having accepted them, we immediately scrapped SARS, and put measures in place to address the other demands of our youth.
“On approving the termination of SARS, I already made it clear that it was in line with our commitment to the implementation of extensive Police reforms.
“Sadly, the promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.
“The result of this is clear to all observers: human lives have been lost; acts of sexual violence have been reported; two major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalised; the sanctity of the Palace of a Peace Maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated. So-called protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.”
