Opposition parties condemn killings, arrests during #EndBadGovernance protests

Opposition parties in the country have denounced the killings resulting from the use of lethal force to disperse civilians during the just-concluded hunger protests.

Recall that The PUNCH reported that police authorities may begin the trial of 1,135 demonstrators arrested during the protest on Monday.

The opposition vented their anger and frustrations in separate interviews with our correspondent.

Their fear comes on the heels of the recent killing of a 16-year-old protester in the Samaru community, Zaria, Kaduna State.

No fewer than 18 persons have so far been reportedly dead in Abuja, Kano, Niger, Borno, Kaduna and Jigawa during the #Endbadgovernance protest which was held across the country.

We warned Nigerians this might happen – PDP

Reacting in an exclusive interview with our correspondent on Sunday, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ibrahim Abdullahi, raised the alarm that the country is gradually sliding into dictatorship.

Abdullahi insisted that the bloodletting and intimidation of peaceful protesters could have been adverted had Nigerians heeded their warning against voting in the current administration.

He said, “We have been warning that these people, in their desperation to ensure they gag Nigerians through silencing of the voices of dissent and deployment of the instrument of coercion against citizens innocently protesting, are sliding into raw dictatorship.

“It is clear that these are not the best of times for Nigeria. The dangerous implications of getting the APC into power and with Bola Tinubu as president are now playing out, which we earlier warned before the election. The security agencies must also know that Nigerians will come after them. The law will catch up with them, especially those deploying extrajudicial means.

“They need to know that government is a transition. It comes and goes, and they will answer ultimately in the fullness of time.”

Shooting protesters condemnable – LP

Speaking with our correspondent on Sunday, Yunusa Tanko, the chief spokesman of Labour Party Presidential flag bearer, Peter Obi, shared the same sentiment.

Tanko further vented his anger over the killing of the Kaduna teenager.

“That teenager was shot right here in my area, Samaru community. I was there. It was not as if it happened in my presence but I was a distance away from the house where it occurred.

“If I show you the video, you won’t be able to finish watching the dead body of the boy. He was shot in the thigh. The question is: Why would you shoot at a boy of that age? It wasn’t as if he was carrying arms or anything. The poor boy had not even taken his breakfast.

“The mother said the boy was chased into her chamber and shot. What kind of animalistic act is that? I can’t explain it. Why even go after peaceful protesters with live ammunition and weapons when you could have used teargas or something like that? They just shot the boy and killed him. The person will have to answer for the killing, even if he retires after this protest. It is criminal,” he bemoaned.

Security agents need reorientation – NNPP

In a similar development, the National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Ladipo Johnson, in a chat with our correspondent on Sunday, appealed for a reorientation against the use of force by security agents, especially during protests and riots.

Johnson lamented that mishandling of matters like protests shouldn’t be allowed to degenerate into killings and accidental discharges by those saddled with the task of protecting the citizens.

“Unfortunately, it seems that even under democracy, we do not value lives. I am sorry to say. Nigerians don’t value the lives of fellow compatriots. I think that the police need reorientation. Just as we all need the same in the different spheres of life in this country. In particular, when we are talking about riots, the police need reorientation and need to apply modern tactics and technology in crowd control.

“It is not that I am blaming them. We are just not serious in this country. We keep hoping and praying. But God has given us the brains. He won’t come down to teach us common sense. We have to do it ourselves,” he said.

Operatives may deploy arms if lives are threatened – APC

Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress has called for restraint.

In an exclusive phone chat with PUNCH Online on Sunday, the National Publicity Director of the APC, Bala Ibrahim, disclosed that while the introduction of live ammunition at protest grounds is condemnable, live-threatening circumstances might warrant the operatives to introduce them at some points.

He said, “That is wrong. In a peaceful demonstration, the use of lethal force is not allowed. However, the word ‘peaceful’ must be respected. If the protest turns violent and security agents are being attacked, they have a right to protect themselves. The operatives have the right to use reasonable and reciprocal force.

“For instance, if someone attacks you with an AK-47, you can use arms that are equivalent in force to save yourself and others. If the protest is peaceful, lethal weapons have no place. But when they become life-threatening, the narratives will change.”