The South-South Legacy Group, has condemned the chaotic dimension that ongoing #EndSARS protest has taken, especially in Benin, Edo state.
The group, in a statement issued by Mr Osagie Aiguobasinwin and Camillus Okosun on Thursday, expressed disenchantment over the violence and killings in the state, adding that the “violence is unacceptable to us in Edo state”.
“The organizers of the ongoing #EndSARS peaceful protest, have our solidarity, support, understanding and endorsement for the protest to correct the many errors in our national body polity, even as some of our members in this group may have been directly or indirectly involved in the organization and conduct of the #EndSARS peaceful protest”.
According to the group, the line of engagement between government and citizens, demands are routinely attended to stressing that “for the government to have responded to the initial 5point demands all within five days is actually a plus to the organizers of the protest to have gotten a prompt attention faster than they could have imagined.
“The State of the nation, politically and economically does not put smiles on the faces of the people at this point in time, which may have justified the upward review of the 5-point demand to accommodate issues like light and fuel pump price, corruption, among many others.
“It is important to say that Edo state is strategic to the region, and that the protesters have operated within the dictates and rules by the organizers until Monday when hoodlums and criminals hijacked the protest and rein terror on our people.
“We watched live on ground, on social media and other platforms where our daughters, sisters, wives, and mothers were rubbed of their valuables and raped. We also saw footages of our innocent youths, brothers and fathers who were also subjected to dehumanizing agony by the same perceived youths who said they will defend them against perceived oppression from government.
“It is more heart breaking and unacceptable to us as a people for anyone to turn the rein of terror against our people. We will not accept this and Edo, as well as the other South-south states’ people, both at home, across Nigeria and in Diaspora should stand up in unison to condemn the criminal invasion, destruction and setting ablaze of seven police stations in Benin, as well as attacks on media houses like the DAAR Communications, AIT Benin Center and Vibes FM Radio station, among other institutions.
“We should stand up to condemn the invitation of the two correctional facilities in Benin as well as releasing of inmates into the society. These hoodlums made away with ammunition and other firearms. You will want to ask for what intention would it be put into if not for criminality.
“We at this level are saying, unequivocally that the actions of the miscreants who hid under #EndSARS protest on Monday in Benin City is unacceptable, barbaric, lawless, inhumane, and a far cry from the reason, principle and philosophy of the #EndSARS agitation,” the statement reads.
