In the wake of violence that has characterised the nationwide #EndSARS protests, the presidency seems to have taken another vital step in the right direction.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, October 20, had a closed-door meeting with key personalities in the leadership of Nigeria’s security hierarchy.
The President met with the Minister of Defense, Major General Bashir Magashi, (retd) and the Chief of Defense Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin ostensibly as part of the effort to find a way out of the ongoing #EndSARS protests.
The meeting took place behind closed doors at the presidential villa, Abuja on Tuesday.
It comes in the wake of the hijack of the protests by hoodlums in parts of the country leading to violence, loss of lives and properties.
Meanwhile, the Civil Situation Room has called for an immediate suspension of the #EndSARS protests across the country over human rights abuses against citizens.
The situation room, consisting of over 100 human rights groups said the protests have taken a violent twist in recent days and its outcome is an infringement on the rights of other citizens.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the coordinator of the CSR, Kabir Matazu, said protesters were involved in abuses which were depriving other citizens of living their normal lives.
Matazu said in the last couple of days, the #EndSARS protest has become fierce with its activities leading to death and destruction of property across major cities of the country – Abuja, Lagos and Benin.
The CSR coordinator said: “What this means is that serious-minded people returned to their legitimate businesses and activities while waiting to see how the government implement the changes that they have demanded.”
He called on leaders of thought all over the world to prevail on the #EndSARS protesters to respect the rights of other citizens.