Politics
#EndSARS: Senator Ubah urges probe of Lekki shootings
Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to set a panel of inquiry to investigate last week’s shooting by security agents on the EndSARS protesters at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos State.
The lawmaker, in a statement he personally signed and made available to our correspondent on Monday in Abuja, condemned the act, which he termed as “barbaric shooting of peaceful protesters.”
He specifically expressed deep sadness over the incident and condoled with the families of all those that lost their lives while also calling on President Buhari to assuage the feelings of the citizenry.
“I am deeply saddened by reports of extrajudicial shootings and barbaric killing of peaceful protesters in Lekki-Lagos, Nigeria. I wish to categorically condemn in its entirety, these shootings by security operatives who are meant to protect the citizens.
“These unlawful shootings by the military and security agents at unarmed protesters are a gross violation of the right to life as enshrined in Section 33 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999; Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“In view of this, I hereby call on the Federal Government and all relevant security agencies involved to commence immediate investigation into this matter with a view to serving justice to the deceased and their loved ones,” he stressed.
Senator Ubah recalled that he had in his motion of Tuesday, October 13, 2020 on the floor of the Senate called for comprehensive Police reforms and end to brutality by the security personnel.
The lawmaker, however, assured that he remain committed to exploring ways of ensuring that the incessant harassment of citizens by security agents stops with a view to promoting a cordial relationship between law abiding citizens and law enforcement agents.
This, he noted would ensure “a more peaceful and secured environment where the people can express their thoughts and feelings about the government without fear of intimidation.”
Amnesty International had in a report on Wednesday, October 21 stated that Nigeria’s security forces fired upon two large gatherings of peaceful protesters at Lekki tollgate killing 12 people and injuring several others.
“At least, 56 people have died during two weeks of widespread demonstrations against Police violence, including 38 on Tuesday,” the group stated, disclosing that it has been monitoring developments across Nigeria since the #EndSARS protest began on October 8, 2020.
Contact: info@royalnews.com.ng