President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said Nigerians are at free to protest peacefully in a democracy but that the government will not tolerate any acts of hooliganism.
He said hooligans hiding behind lawful and peaceful protests will be dealt with decisively to ensure peace and stability in the country.
The warning came amidst claims of a second wave of the #EndSARS protest being allegedly planned by youths in the country.
In October, the protest against police brutality and the excesses of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), were staged across major cities in the country, a development which resulted in the loss of lives and destruction of properties by hoodlums who hijacked it.
Declaring open the Chief of Army Staff’s Annual Conference 2020, President Buhari, who spoke in a virtual arrangement commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their efforts at swiftly restoring law and order in various states during what he described as “the large-scale criminality” that ensued in the wake of the #EndSARS protests.
Reiterating Government’s commitment to the rights of citizens to embark on peaceful protests responsibly in accordance with the laws of the land, the president recounted that the #EndSARS protests were sadly hijacked by hooligans to cause wanton damage to lives and property in many cities across the country.
The President described the Year 2020 as a very challenging one, citing the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative impact on almost every aspect of national life.
“Despite this, I am pleased to note that the Army remained resolute in the discharge of its Constitutional roles and in keeping the wealth and welfare of our soldiers a priority.
“The Army’s support of Civil Authorities in the management of the COVID-19 Pandemic is a case in point.
“Also, the peaceful elections conducted in Edo and Ondo States would not have been achieved without the high level of professionalism displayed by all security agencies, including the Army,” he said at the conference themed “Human Capacity Development in Sustaining Professionalism and Responsiveness of the Nigerian Army in the Discharge of its Constitutional Roles.”
