Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) A Civil society Advocacy & Human Rights Organization has said the #EndSARS protest in Abia state has gone out of hand.
The group expressed worry over the violence, looting, and destruction of public property that has characterised the agitation in the state.
While insisting that violence cannot achieve the desired result, FENRAD in a statement on Thursday signed by Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor made available to ABN TV , the Executive Director expressed regret that citizens now live in fear and apprehension.
“Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) A Civil society Advocacy & Human Rights Organization has condemned in strong terms the wanton Destruction and Looting of public properties in Aba in which the END SARS protest turns bloody and hijacked by Hoodlums
“Adopting violence to ventilate grievance is a mark of weakness.
“We at FENRAD are highly disturbed over incidences of destruction and vandalisation of public and private establishments in the last few days in Aba and its Environs.
“We condemn this turn of events in the #EndSARS protest and appeal to the criminal elements that have added this narrative to desist as this will only complicate the already existing negative economic situation in the country.
“We are strong of the opinion that violence cannot achieve any results expected to derive from ongoing agitations.
“We are most worried the agitations have gone out of hand in Abia State, especially Aba, the commercial hub of the state.
“It is worrisome that residents are now living in apprehension and can no longer go about their legitimate business to earn a living,” the statement said.
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FENRAD, therefore, appealed to those who have a hand in the destruction of public property and looting to desist, calling on the state government to adopt legitimate means to halt the destruction of public assets.
“We call on the perpetrators to withdraw their actions and allow peace, law, and order to return to the state.
“FENRAD isn’t supporting the shooting of unarmed citizens and wasting of Human lives but we condemn the Act of violence and destruction of public properties.
“We also appeal that the protesting parties should cease further actions and allow Abia Government time to develop appropriate responses to the demands made.
“We call on Abia Government to deploy legitimate means within its powers to arrest further destruction of public and private establishments within the state, stop harassment and intimidation of innocent citizens in the state by criminal elements.
“We also appeal for expedited Action on the apprehension and prosecution of the perpetrators of these dastard acts to serve as deterrent to others. Government cannot fold it’s arms and watch the state slip to anarchy”.
