The main Nigerian opposition political party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted to the recently released report of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and Other Matters, saying the government of Muhammadu Buhari of All Progressive Congress (APC) is a murderous government.
The Party, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the report by the Lagos state EndSARS panel has confirmed the gruesome killings of innocent youths at the Lekki Tollgate during the 2020 EndSARS protest, strengthened the fact that the APC is running a murderous and oppressive regime that has no regard for life.
The statement stated, “Nigerians can recall how security operatives attacked and massacred innocent youths and how the APC, its leaders and agents, in various agencies of APC-controlled government, vehemently denied the killings, tried to mop up evidence and provided official cover for the killers.
“The report of the Lagos EndSARS panel, which confirms the massacre of Nigerian youths in Lekki, has further shown the APC and its government as bloody liars whose hands are stained with the blood of our innocent compatriots.
“It is now clear that no matter how much the wicked strive in denial, the truth will always prevail. Therefore, the blood of our innocent youths killed by agents of the APC and its administration must not be shed in vain. Those responsible for these callous acts must be made to face justice.
“Of course, all those whose hands have become blood stained will never know peace.
“The APC hereby invites Nigerians to stand for our slain compatriots by ensuring that those behind the massacre of our youths as well as their supporters in government have their days in the dock.
“The nation must ensure that such individuals are brought to book for their act of wickedness to humanity.
“In this regard, our party insists that all those indicted by the panel should be arrested, prosecuted and dealt with in accordance with our laws.
The APC again commiserates with the families of the slain young Nigerians, who were cut in their prime for demanding for a just, equitable and secure nation governed by the rule of law”.
In another development, the Chief of Defense Staff, General Lucky Irabor faulted the procedure adopted in the release of report of the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry on police brutality, but did not fault the content of the report.
Though, he was reluctant to comment on the report, he claimed he has not seen, Irabor stated that the Nigerian armed forces are committed to their constitutional mandate and do not engage in ignoble acts.
His words, “I am sure those of you in the media must have seen a report that was released through, in my view, a wrong channel, that is making the rounds in the social media. Whether it is a true report, I can’t tell. But I’d like to indicate that the normal procedure is to have such a report submitted to the convening authority. And then there will be a white paper that will be presented, based on which one can make informed comments”.
He stated further, “But whatever it is currently, I’d like to indicate that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is a professional armed force. We are peopled by Nigerians and we remain committed to the constitutional mandate. So we will not at this point think that Nigerians should make disparaging remarks regarding the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in the sense that we are a professional armed forces. If there are issues, of course, we address them within the ambit of the provisions. It would not be right to disparage men and women who have worked so hard to ensure that the territorial integrity of this nation is kept intact. So in the meantime, until I see the full extent of the report”.
“I can assure that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are well-disciplined and we do not engage in any ignoble acts. If Nigerians do not trust us, then we won’t be doing what we are doing, and in any case, it is the Armed Forces of Nigeria; we are not talking of the police. So when the Armed Forces are called out, it is because there is a need; there is no one who doesn’t desire to live in peace. We need to understand that the Armed Forces are there to keep the peace, to provide the ambiance that will enable each Nigerian to live his or her desires in peace and harmony. So let us not make inciting comments that will put the entire space on fire. That’s not right”, he added.
