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The Delta State Civil Society Community has condemned the heinous and violent crackdown visited on armless youths and peaceful protesters across the country, the climax of which has resulted in the death of over 60 citizens, with 49 deaths as reported by the Punch Newspaper, at the Lekki Tollgate premises in Lagos State.

The society, in a communique signed by the Coordinator, Deacon Okezi Odugala and Secretary, Mr Sylvester Itimi, said it found it rather repugnant and sickening, the fact that peaceful Nigerian protesters were killed by Nigerian soldiers while waving the Nigerian flag and singing the National Anthem.

It called on government at all levels in Nigeria to ensure restraint and decorum in the management of peaceful protests going forward.

The group commended the Governments of Delta, Edo, Nasarawa, and Lagos States among others currently in the works, for establishing panels of judicial inquiry, and enjoined citizens and other stakeholders to participate actively and provide the needed fact to enable the panels deliver on their assignments.

In a similar vein, the communique also described the use of violent thugs to attack peaceful protesters across Nigeria (notably Abuja, Kogi, Lagos, Gombe and Plateau among others) as a travesty and an outright violation of the right to association and peaceful protest of citizens.

“Since Thursday the 15th of October, Nigerian youths rose up and closed ranks in their search for justice against police brutality, bad governance, poor infrastructure and other matters of pressing national concern, converged at notable landmark locations across the country in solidarity under the mantra #EndSARS, which is a constitutionally guaranteed right, and a welcomed development in the comrade community, seeing that the youths had decided to take their destiny in their hands, secure their future, and indeed, the future of Nigeria which has been described as bleak and without promise.

“It is, therefore, rather unimaginable and shocking why the Nigerian government refused to protect the protesters with police protection or employing other creative and civil means in the quest for calm and normalcy. We condemn in strong terms the use of torture and live bullets on peaceful protesters.

“Delta State Civil Society Community mourns and grieves with all Nigerians at these trying times, and enjoins all citizens to remain law-abiding, though difficult, and to pursue justice using all avenues and vehicles as provided by the law.

“We also enjoin our religious and traditional leaders to rise up to the occasion and ensure that the peace secured via the labour of our heroes’ past is maintained and strengthened.

“Whilst we commend the Governments of Delta, Edo, Nasarawa, and Lagos States among others currently in the works, for establishing panels of judicial inquiry, we enjoin citizens and other stakeholders to participate actively and provide the necessary cooperation for them to function independently, effectively and efficiently.

“We also by this communique call on the international community and members of the diplomatic corps to treat with urgency, all reports, evidence and petitions gathered and tendered on behalf of the victims and other concerned Nigerians, in a bid to apply timely and appropriate sanctions on the perpetrators of these abominable and undemocratic practices of genocidal proportions, as justice delayed would be justice denied.

“Once again, please, let us remain peaceful and law-abiding citizens, and ensure to follow laid down regulations where curfews have been declared,” the communique stated.