President Buhari: ‘Hooligans hiding under #EndSARS protests will be dealt with’

There have been reviews that the #EndSARS protest in opposition to police brutality, which was quashed by law enforcement two months ago, was going to be reignited this week.

The police has also warned against any future protest

While virtually declaring open the Chief of Army Staff’s Annual Conference 2020, President Buhari counseled the nation’s armed forces for their efforts at swiftly restoring law and order in numerous states of the federation in the wake of the protests.

The military’s conference held on Monday, December 7, 2020.

The #EndSARS protests were largely peaceful across the country until hoodlums have been employed to infiltrate the ranks of the protesters and assault them.

On October 20, 2020, armed soldiers fired live rounds into a crowd of peaceful, unarmed protesters at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital.

President Buhari is yet to acknowledge the Lekki shooting. His administration has additionally gone to war with CNN for its reporting on the Lekki shooting.Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has been on a warpath with CNN over #EndSARS

Reiterating authorities’ dedication to the rights of residents to embark on peaceable protests responsibly and in accordance with the laws of the land, the president recounted that the #EndSARS protests have been sadly hijacked by hooligans to cause wanton damage to lives and property in lots of cities throughout the nation.

The president described 2020 as a really difficult year, citing the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and its unfavorable impact on virtually every facet of national life.

”Despite this, I am pleased to note that the army remained resolute in the discharge of its constitutional roles and in keeping the wealth and welfare of our soldiers a priority.

”The army’s support of civil authorities in the management of the COVID – 19 pandemic is a case in point.

”Also, the peaceful elections conducted in Edo and Ondo States would not have been achieved without the high level of professionalism displayed by all security agencies, including the army,” Buhari stated on the conference themed: Human Capacity Development in Sustaining Professionalism and Responsiveness of the Nigerian Army in the Discharge of its Constitutional Roles.

Terrorists and bandits

The president additionally praised the military for its unwavering dedication in direction of curbing the actions of insurgents, armed bandits, kidnappers, cattle rustlers, and different violent criminals by way of ongoing workout routines and operations in numerous parts of the nation.

Notably, he stated the exercise SAHEL SANITY launched a couple of months in the past within the northwest states to rid the Katsina-Zamfara corridor of marauding bandits, had recorded commendable progress.

”I have also been briefed about the great successes that have been achieved by troops during the ongoing Operation FIRE BALL in the northeast.

”I charge you all to sustain these efforts until the full restoration of peace and security in the nation is achieved,” the president told members of the armed forces at the conference which provides an avenue for the leadership of the army to re-assess its preparedness and operational readiness in carrying out its constitutional roles.

Tribute to Great Military Men/Women

President Buhari additionally used the event to pay tribute to women and men in uniform who’ve paid the great sacrifice within the defense and safety of the nation, commiserating with their households, comrades, and friends.

”As we pray for the repose of their souls, we must strengthen our collective resolve to address those issues that will make every part of our country a safe and secure place to live and carry out our normal business,” he stated.

He pledged that his administration is not going to relent in its efforts to take enough care of households of fallen heroes who had paid the great sacrifice in the battle in opposition to insurgency and different types of crimes throughout the nation.

At the conference, the president launched the housing scheme for the next-of-kin of personnel of the Nigerian army killed in action.

”It is in line with this that the army as part of its welfare initiative and in line with the federal government’s housing program is undertaking the housing scheme for households and next of kin of troops that were killed in action in the fight against insurgency and other criminalities in the nation.

”I believe this initiative will act as a huge morale booster to the troops on the frontlines as well as project the army in good light.

”On our part, I assure you that this administration will continue to do all within available resources to provide for your operational and welfare needs,” he said.

President Buhari said he had been briefed that some of the major weapons procured for the army will soon be inducted into the various theatres of operations, urging personnel ‘‘to make judicious use of these capabilities, even as we await the arrival of others currently pending shipment to the country.’’