October 15, (THEWILL) – The National Economic Council (NEC) has advised organisers of the #EndSARS protests to reconsider the planned commemoration of the one-year anniversary of the protest.
THEWILL recalls how thousands of Nigerian youths occupied strategic places in parts of the country in October 2020, demanding the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) over alleged human rights violations.
In an advisory statement on Friday, the NEC said the anniversary of the protest should be shelved because of the present security situation in the country.
“While appreciating the role of lawful peaceful protests in the advancement of public discourse under democratic governance, the National Economic Council (NEC) strongly advise those planning public protests across the country to mark the anniversary of the #EndSARS, to consider other lawful alternative means of engagement.
“This is because of the current security situation across the country and the possibility of such protests being hijacked by armed hoodlums and other opportunistic criminals to cause mayhem at such protest events and venues. Council, therefore, urges the organisers to reconsider their plan,” the NEC said in an advisory statement issued at its meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday.
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