Group wants #EndSARS protest halted in the interest of peace

….Tasks States on support fund for victims of police brutality

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Worried by the present situation in the country, a group, the Conference of Civil Society of Nigeria, CCSN, has called for an end to the #EndSARS protest that has turned violent in order to avoid it being ultimately hijacked and misused by sinister Interests.
The group has similarly lauded the thirteen (13)states that have constituted their panels of enquiry on police brutality against citizens and urged others yet to do same to respond promptly, as well as pay urgent attention to the victims support fund.
The CCSN said these in a press statement signed by its Chairperson, Commie Adams Otakwu at the weekend in Abuja.
The conference specifically called on all other civil societies, citizen groups, the youths, the social and traditional media, Nigerians in Diaspora, Federal and State governments as well as all Nigerians to consider the soul of the country and quickly help to douse the tension.
The group also pleaded, passionately, with all concerned not to allow further loss of any single blood agaln in the country.
The Conference of Civil Society in Nigeria posited that the best way forward now, as things are, is meaningful engagement between government and citizens on pragmatic measures to end police brutality, ensure good governance, reduce poverty, create employment, tackle Insecurity and end corruption.
The CCSN appealed to the media to demonstrate the highest level of professional ethlcs by offering very balanced reportage and avoid the temptation of being divisive at this moment of great anxiety
It similarly called on the religious and traditional leaders to raise their voices against the violence and appeal for calm across the country, “as we all reaffirm hope In the Nigerian Project”.
The group prayed God to bring Nigeria out of the current storm and make her a stronger, vibrant, united and better nation, where justice, equity, equality, truth, harmony, love and the fear of God will reign and reign supreme.
In its statement entitled, “The Situation in Nigeria and Call for Peace”, the group said, “The Conference of Civil Society of Nigeria is deeply worried by the recent situation In Nigeria where the peaceful agitation by our youths has turned violent with lives lost and properties destroyed.
“This development is very sad, considering the fact that the original concern of the protest (which was to end police brutality) was shared by almost all, until it assumed the current sad dimension.
“This has left us without any other option than to urge all Civil Societies, Citizen Groups, our vibrant Youths, the Social and traditional media, Nigerians in Diaspora, State Governments, Federal Government and all Nigerians to consider the soul of our country and quickly douse the tension.
“This is our only country as most of us have no dual citizenship. The Country belongs to all of us.
“We are equal stakeholders and we must not allow the country to go aflame. Let’s collectively (as citizens as government) preserve the soul of Nigeria and own the country.”