President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed that he stopped the #EndSARS protests against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) because it was hijacked and misdirected.
President Buhari stated this during a virtual meeting with the former Nigerian leaders in Abuja on Friday, October 23, 2020.
A statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said Buhari stated that #EndSARS protesters had genuine and well-intended intention when they started the protests nationwide, but was hijacked by hoodlums.
The President added that the protesters were misdirected, noting that the protests became a political move in order to topple the government.
Buhari said that his government would not fold its arms and allow miscreants and criminals continue to perpetrate acts of hooliganism in the country.
He noted that his administration has met some of the demands of the youths protesting against the excesses of some members of the now-disbanded Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS).
The President noted he directed the Inspector-General of Police to disband the police unit and prosecute some of the officers found culpable of brutality and extra-judicial killings.
He also revealed that she has also ordered the immediate release of all arrested protesters, adding that Justice for deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensation for their families will be carried out very soon.
Unfortunately, the President said protesters refused to call off the protest and engage the government to address their grievances until the demostration became emboldened and gradually became violent.
The President reiterated that the government will not fold its arms and allow miscreants and criminals continue to perpetrate acts of hooliganism in the country.
KanyiDaily had eralier reported that the meeting was attended by President Olusegun Obasanjo, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Gen. Abulsalami Abubakar, and former President Goodluck Jonathan.
