Senate Asks Protesters to End Action

The Senate yesterday advised the #EndSARS protesters to leave the streets having secured the assurances of the federal government to implement their five-point demands.

The Presidential Panel on Police Reforms had last Tuesday agreed to the fivepoint demands of the protesters against police brutality, which included halting the use of force against protesters and unconditional release of arrested citizens.

President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, who gave the advice at the plenary after the upper chamber was briefed by the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, on the intervention by the Senate leadership to wade into the protest, said the protesters should go back to their homes having secured the commitment of the government to address their grievances.

According to him, Nigerians have the legitimate right to protest against any policy or action of the government.

Lawal said: “Nigerians have the right to peaceful demonstration. When they feel very strongly about issues, they can do so to call the attention of the leaders of this country for appropriate action to be taken.

“I believe that the government has responded; SARS has been disbanded, and all the five demands of the protesters have been accepted.

“I believe that when protesters’ demands are met, their goal should have been achieved. Therefore, there is need for our compatriots to go back home and give the government the time to quickly and expeditiously implement those demands.