The organisers of the Nationwide protest have requested for the release of 1,150 protesters allegedly arrested by the police operatives during the first three days of the nationwide demonstration.
A protest group identified as Take It Back Movement, Youth Rights Campaign, and the Creative Change Centre have criticised the broadcast made by President Bola Tinubu, stating that their demands were not addressed in the Sunday Morning Speech.
The president had in his speech appealed for dialogue and an end to the nationwide protests which have destabilised the Nation since Thursday 1st, 2024, while claiming several lives.
Meanwhile, the Take It Back Movement, Youth Rights Campaign and the Creative Change Centre,who spoke with The PUNCH on Sunday, swore to carry on with the demonstration, while insinuating that the president did not address their demands in his Sunday morning national broadcast.
Recall that the protest which started on Thursday Morning across various states within the Country had largely youths and young adults marching around strategic locations clamoring for an end to bad governance and economic downturn.
Police operatives in a bid to disperse protesters gathered at different locations including, Lagos, FCT, Kano, fired Toxic Tear gas and gunshots while also making several arrests on Saturday.
There are reports that the protests have also been marred by lootings by hoodlums in Kano, Kaduna and other northern states, with the police going after the culprits to recover some items.
However, President Tinubu during his speech said his administration was ready to listen to and address the concerns of the protesters while claiming he had heard their calls “loud and clear''. He also condoled with the families of protesters who lost their lives during clashes with security forces and those who lost property to lootings recorded in various states.
“I hereby enjoin protesters and the organisers to suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue, which I have always acceded to at the slightest opportunity,” he said.
The president further noted that the country required all hands on deck irrespective of age, party, tribe, religion or other divides to work together to restructure its common destiny.
To the protesters, he said, “I have heard you loud and clear. I understand the pain and frustration that drive these protests, and I want to assure you that our government is committed to listening and addressing the concerns of our citizens.
“But we must not let violence and destruction tear our nation apart. We must work together to build a brighter future where every Nigerian can live with dignity and prosperity.
“Let nobody misinform and mis-educate you about your country or tell you that your government does not care about you.”
Meanwhile, during their chat with the Media outlet, The Director of Mobilisation, Take It Back movement, Damilare Adenola, said the group would continue to mobilise mass support for the demonstration and demand the unconditional release of protesters in custody.
Similarly, The Civil Society Situation Room on Friday in a statement mentioned that 1,150 persons had been arrested, 21 killed and injured during confrontations with security agencies.
“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all arrested protesters. We will continue to mobilise legal support, provide resources for them, and amplify their stories to ensure their voices are not silenced. We will also hold the government accountable for any mistreatment or human rights abuses they may have suffered while in custody.” The Statement had read.
The police in response on Saturday said a total of 681 criminals were arrested for committing various offences between Thursday and Friday.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement, also noted that only seven persons had been killed during the protests.
However, PRO, revealed that efforts are being put in place to ensure that the protesters were released, adding that their lawyers were working to ensure the release of the protesters.
In addition, the initiator of another protest group identified as Creative Change Centre, Omole Ibukun, explained that several groups involved in the protests were mobilising for the release of arrested protesters.
He said, “For the arrested protesters, we are organising as a coalition of mobilisers to free the arrested and adding it to the demand of our protests until the government heeds our demands.”
