After more than a week of unexpected, bewildering silence, President Buhari has just spoken about how he plans tackle the issue of the Lekki massacre, as well as the continued lootings across the country. His Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity read the statement.
Concerning Black Tuesday, the day of the massacre, the President expressed full optimism that the government will grant justice to the peaceful protesters lost their lives. Not only that, but also security men and property owners who were murdered and looted respectively.
As you may recall, the president, even in his recently released nationwide speech, refrained from speaking about the protests, SARS, and even the massacre. According to him, he avoided breaking into an all-out debate until all the facts were established. (Blaming facts and figures, are we now?) He also appealed to people all over the country to maintain peace and unity as the government turn the wheels of justice “against the perpetrators of murder, arson, stealing, rape, assault, and malicious damage to public and private property.”
He again stressed the necessity of peace, unity, and inter-communal harmony as central to our culture and urged Nigerians “not to turn against one another in hate.”
Furthermore, it is imperative that security operatives move around to ensure calm and normalcy as soon as possible.
Related: Just In: Buhari Speaks on #EndSARS Protests.
The statement continues, “A government that has launched a massive crackdown on kwarapshin, brought in strong laws for a decisive battle against kwarapshin, pursues loot recovery at home and abroad, and taken strong decisions against those who thought they were above the law (whatever that means…), will not fold its arms when an otherwise legitimate and peaceful protest is turning into free-for-all vandalism and looting.”
“While the government has, for its part, blocked so many means of looting public money in a war against kwarapshin (interestingg…), it is the expectation that all civil authorities, community and religious leaders in the country must rise against the “organized” looting and plunder we are witnessing in parts of the country.”
The president further admonished families to reject items looted and brought home by their children. (Hm.)
“Families must turn back children who bring home unaccounted goods. In the same way, wives must ask their husbands to return looted items brought home.” (Leemao!)
“What is more, is that criminal actions as we have so far witnessed can weaken and erode the confidence of our people and that of foreign businesses in investing in our country.” (Sigh…)
“Looting and vandalism will hurt trade and investment growth in our country, both large and small industries, as well as our hardworking people in the informal sectors of the economy. These incidents do not reflect well on any society. They are wrong and condemnable and should not be supported by reasonable members of the society.”
While we agree that looting and vandalism are not the right course of action, the question of the evil and wickedness within the hearts of so-called leaders remain. Besides, why a statement? We need to see you Mr. President. Stop hiding!
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