A coalition of 17 Nigerian groups in diaspora has served a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari in respect of the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria.
In the letter, the coalition which comprises professional, ethnic and religious bodies, voiced out its outrage over the loss of lives and vandalisation of properties during the protests and gave suggestions on how to move Nigeria forward.
In the letter titled: “Nigerians in Diaspora Appeal for Calm and Express Outrage over Loss of Lives and Destruction of Properties,” the coalition made seven suggestions which will facilitate peace to the government.
The letter was signed by the Reimagining Black Matters, Igbo Organisation, New York; Akwa Ibom State Association, New York, and the Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians.
Others bodies that signed the letter were the Nigerian American Public Affairs Committee, Nigerian Independence Day Committee, the Regional Council of Nigerian Muslims, the Christ Apostolic Church, Absolute Faith in Jesus Christ International Church, First in the Americas, the Nigerian Lawyers’ Association and the Association of Nigerian Physicians.
Part of the demands include arrest and prosecution of those involved in the October 20 alleged murder of unarmed protesters at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos, provision of security for legal protesters and safeguarding of properties against looters and other hoodlums.
Also, the coalition advised every state governor to “speedily and fairly review cases of arrested unarmed protesters, to facilitate quick release of innocent citizens.”
Furthermore, it suggested the prohibition of live bullets to enforce law and order during legal peaceful protests.
The group said: “In the unlikely event that the use of force is needed, it must be limited to activities that put the lives of our security personnel at risk, and it must be the last resort.
“By taking the above steps, you are by no means caving to pressure, but doing what an effective leader must do during a crisis of this nature.
“It must be ‘COUNTRY FIRST,’ to bring everyone back to the table for meaningful discussion.”
While promising to continue to talk to the government on the matter, the coalition admonished the youth to allow peace and make their demands known through dialogue.
“We are much better than what the world is seeing on social media and we must not allow others to shape the narrative about Nigeria.
“We have done so much in the Diaspora to improve Nigeria’s image and would hate to see all our efforts go to waste.”
