#EndSARS: We Can’t Achieve Anything With Violence, Lawlessness, Hon. Nkole Counsels Youths

Member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia federal constituency Abia state, Hon. Uko Nkole has decried the violence and killing that trailed the recent #EndSARS protest.

Hon. Nkole said the killings and loss of property are regrettable, calling on security agencies to ensure immediate and detailed investigation into it.

In a statement on Friday, he appealed to the youths of his constituency to refrain from violence and embrace peace, adding that nothing tangible can be achieved in an atmosphere of rancor, violence and lawlessness.

He said, “I have observed with keen interest, the events of the last week where our youths have taken to the streets in various cities to protest injustice metted to them by officials of security agencies.

“I have also observed the painful and sad deterioration of the hitherto peaceful agitations into wanton violence and lawlessness.

“I wish to without equivocation, condemn in the strongest terms, the use of brute force by our security authorities over unarmed youths/protesters in Lekki on 20th October 2020. My thoughts and prayers are with all those who suffered loss as a result of that incident.

“I call on the relevant millitary authority to carry out as a matter of Nationality importance an urgent but detailed investigation on the shooting saga.

“Our rights to lawful assembly and freedom of protest are key human rights essentials in a democratic rule and they must be respected at all times.

“My fellow youths, as an alumni of the International Visitors Leadership Programme owned by The Department Of States United States Of America , myself and other colleagues are assiduously working to make sure your voices and concerns are heard globally. At the moment, demands are being made on your behalf to ensure that justice is served.

“I have also in addition to the demands being made by the #ENDSARS protest, canvassed a policy that doesn’t require any constitutional ammendment whereby respective Military, Police and paramilitary officers are deployed to serve in their respective state of origin while maintaining the existing structure at the respective commands headquarters .

“This once achieved will, in my opinion, give rise to increased intelligence gathering and crime prevention with precision and minimal errors nationawide.

“I wish to appeal here that we listen to several calls made by Mr. President, our respective Governors and Leadership Of The National Assembly to conduct ourselves peacefully.

“The truth remains that we cannot fulfil our aspirations in an atmosphere of violence and lawlessness. We must, as a matter of urgency, listen to reason and sheath our swords.

“The Governor of our home state in Abia has taken commendable steps to address the demands of the peaceful protesters. The President of the Federal Republic, Muhammadu Buhari has also addressed the Nation and outlined steps taken by the Federal Government to address the grievances of the agitators.

“I therefore call on the youths of Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency in particular and the youths in Nigeria in general, wherever they are, to please embrace peace and not be involved in any acts of violence and lawlessness.

“You will agree with me that I have always promptly responded whenever there are reports of highhandedness by our security operatives in our Constituency. I have maintained a robust relationship with security agencies operating in our area to ensure mutually respectful relations with the civil populace and in the light of recent developments, I have intensified my interactions with them to ensure that we are all on the same page.

“The lives of our people matter and I will continue to ensure that our people are treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve.

“You are all witnesses to our verifiable efforts at attracting development projects to our Constituency. This has been my contract with the people and I am motivated more than ever before to intensify efforts at ensuring a better life for our people through aggressive attraction of projects to our Constituency, employment of our people gainfully and ensuring that awarded projects are executed.

“I therefore once again wish to call on my constituents wherever they may be residing to stand down and cease all further public agitations. They should also not be party to any acts of lawlessness and destruction of public and private properties. They should not allow themselves to be used to forment trouble anywhere in the state and the country at large.

“In days to come, I will be convening a youth summit where we can brainstorm and explore different options for our next steps.

“I have absolute faith in the capacity of Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu to address the issues raised and I call on all to give him all the required support”.