#EndSARS: How Buhari’s Inaction Fueled The Unrest – Delta Publishers Forum

• Mourn Deaths Of Protesters, Others, Decry Attacks On Critical Infrastructures

The Delta Online Publishers Forum, (DOPF),says if President Muhammadu Buhari had acted on time in checking the action of miscreants, the #EndSARS protest could not have taken the turn it took.

The group, in a statement while commiserating with the families that lost their love ones and condemning attacks on critical infrastructures, noted that hoodlums took advantage of inaction of the federal government to hijack the peaceful protest.

Signed by its chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Enebeli, and Secretary, Mr. Shedrack Onitsha, the forum stated that while it wholeheartedly supports the protest as it was genuinely targeted at curbing what had been considered as arbitrary abuse of Nigerians for more than a decade, it however frowned that the genuine protest of young Nigerians was hijacked resulting to lost of many lives, and destruction of critical infrastructure.

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The statement added that unwarranted attack on the protesters on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos, where a number of persons were allegedly killed and scores injured could had been avoided.

“If the government especially, at the federal level had acted on time in checking the action of miscreants who took advantage of inaction of the federal government to hijack the peaceful protest, the many deaths and destruction that we had could have been avoided.

“We, however, mourn with Nigerians, on the lives lost in the cause of this protest, and we called on the Nigerian authority to investigate the incidents and prosecute in public any of the killer officers.

“The deaths witnessed would had been avoided if the government, especially at the federal level has acted proactively and addressed the protesting youths and Nigerians.

“It’s shameful and annoying that till this hour, the President of the country has not deem it fit to talk directly to Nigerians.

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DOPF stated further that the loss of any Nigerian life no matter how old cannot be justified by any reason, as such the Forum is pained by the death of “our youths who only offence is asking for good governance.

The Forum also condemned the reported attacks on journalists, media houses, security men who are performing their lawful duties.

DOPF decried the hijack of the protest by some hoodlums who have abandoned the agenda of the protesters, to start attacking private businesses and State infrastructure.

It called on Nigerians to see media houses, journalists, and security operatives as people who are carrying out their lawful duties to inform, and protect lives and properties and therefore, be supported instead of being attacked.

It further called on Nigerians to remain focused on the goal of getting the country to the path of greatness, and should not allow the death of some of the protesters dim the fire of call to restructure the system of governance in Nigeria.