Get Your Facts Right On Nigeria, Buhari Tells International Community

*Says accepting demands not sign of weakness
*Says ‘Your voice has been heard’

President Muhammadu Buhari has told the International Community
that has expressed concern about the use of excessive force on the
#EndSARS protesters to have all the facts before making hasty
pronouncements.

Buhari was silent on the shooting of protesters in Lekki Toll
Gate, Lagos, during his to address the nation on the #EndSARS
protests.

The President said this Thursday during his address to the
nation, days after the shooting of unarmed #EndSARS protesters at
Lekki Toll Gate which ignited violence in several parts of the
country.

“To our neighbors 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,” he said.

In his under 15 minutes long national broadcast on Thursday,
Buhari said while the choice to demonstrate peacefully is a
fundamental right, it however comes with responsibility to respect
the rights of other citizens.

He, however, warned that his government would not tolerate
breakdown of law and order, calling on the protesting youths to
stay off streets.

Buhari said: “The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a
fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our
Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also
imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the
rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the
law.

“I therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street
protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions.
Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.

“For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national
security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances
will this be tolerated.”

The President expressed deep pain that innocent lives have been
lost, saying “these tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary.
Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these bad acts to
legitimate expression of grievance of the youth of our country.

The President also warned miscreants who have taken advantage of
the situation to loot and destroy public and private assets.

He said, “I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected
the initial, genuine and well-intended protest of some of our
youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some
members of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad.”

He blamed hoodlums for the arson, looting and violence in the
country at the moment.

He said, “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.”

President Buhari also enjoined security agencies to protect
lives and properties of all law abiding citizens without doing harm
to those they are meant to protect.

He also said there would be an upward review of salaries of
police personnel, as well as their overall welfare, which is one of
the five demands of protesters calling for an end to police
brutality in the country.

“With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National
Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite
action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members
of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary
services are also being reviewed upwards,” he said.

The president further urged Nigerians to take advantage of some
of the poverty alleviation initiatives by his administration,
targetted especially at youths, women and the most vulnerable
groups in the society.

*Says accepting demands not sign of weakness
*Says ‘Your voice has been heard’

President Muhammadu Buhari has told the International Community
that has expressed concern about the use of excessive force on the
#EndSARS protesters to have all the facts before making hasty
pronouncements.

Buhari was silent on the shooting of protesters in Lekki Toll
Gate, Lagos, during his to address the nation on the #EndSARS
protests.

The President said this Thursday during his address to the
nation, days after the shooting of unarmed #EndSARS protesters at
Lekki Toll Gate which ignited violence in several parts of the
country.

“To our neighbors 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,” he said.

In his under 15 minutes long national broadcast on Thursday,
Buhari said while the choice to demonstrate peacefully is a
fundamental right, it however comes with responsibility to respect
the rights of other citizens.

He, however, warned that his government would not tolerate
breakdown of law and order, calling on the protesting youths to
stay off streets.

Buhari said: “The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a
fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our
Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also
imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the
rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the
law.

“I therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street
protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions.
Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.

“For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national
security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances
will this be tolerated.”

The President expressed deep pain that innocent lives have been
lost, saying “these tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary.
Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these bad acts to
legitimate expression of grievance of the youth of our country.

The President also warned miscreants who have taken advantage of
the situation to loot and destroy public and private assets.

He said, “I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected
the initial, genuine and well-intended protest of some of our
youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some
members of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad.”

He blamed hoodlums for the arson, looting and violence in the
country at the moment.

He said, “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.”

President Buhari also enjoined security agencies to protect
lives and properties of all law abiding citizens without doing harm
to those they are meant to protect.

He also said there would be an upward review of salaries of
police personnel, as well as their overall welfare, which is one of
the five demands of protesters calling for an end to police
brutality in the country.

“With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National
Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite
action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members
of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary
services are also being reviewed upwards,” he said.

The president further urged Nigerians to take advantage of some
of the poverty alleviation initiatives by his administration,
targetted especially at youths, women and the most vulnerable
groups in the society.