President Muhammadu Buhari has warned that his administration will not tolerate “any act of hooliganism hiding behind peaceful protests.”
He said although his administration believed in the rights of citizens to embark on peaceful protests, such must be done responsibly.
Buhari stated these while virtually declaring open the Chief of Army Staff’s Annual Conference 2020 from the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
At a time when there are reports of possible repeat of the recent #EndSARS protests, Buhari regretted the vioIence that trailed the last protests.
He said, “Let me also mention the EndSARS protest which was recently hijacked by hoodlums which resulted in loss of lives and property in many situations across the country.
“I want to reiterate our government ’ s commitment to the rights of citizens to embark on peaceful protests.
“However, this must be done responsibly in accordance with the laws of the land.
“I also want to state that any act of hooliganism hiding behind the peaceful protests, will be highly dealt with decisively to ensure the peace and stability of our nation.
“On this note, I commend the Nigeria Army for their efforts to swiftly restore law and order in many states during the last scale of criminality that ensued in the wake of the EndSARS protests.”
Meanwhile, EndSARS protesters have converged at Lekki tollgate plaza despite deployment of troops and policemen to prevent the protesters from converging.
In a video shared by AIT online, the protesters were heard chanting in pidgin English saying: "we no go gree o we no go gree! SARS must go we no go gree".