The CLEEN Foundation has expressed commitment to continued support to highlight the underlying issues raised by the protesters, urging all parties involved to exercise restraint and engage in constructive dialogue.
This was contained in a preliminary statement signed by the Foundation Executive Director, Dr. Gad Peter, on the outcome of ongoing protest across Nigeria.
Peter, in the statement, disclosed that the Foundation deployed volunteer monitors across the country to help in monitoring the conduct of law enforcement personnel to ensure that the right of Nigerians are respected and protected.
The statement reads in full:
“Fundamentally, CLEEN Foundation acknowledges the unassailable right of every Nigerian to peaceful assembly and how Nigerians have largely conducted themselves as #Endbadgovernance protest kicks off today, 1st August 2024.
“In its continued commitment to promoting public safety and security, CLEEN Foundation has officially launched the ‘National Protest Situation Room.’ This initiative is designed to monitor and assess the situation during the protests, ensuring that the right to peaceful assembly is upheld and that public safety is maintained by monitoring the conduct of law enforcement personnel during the course of the protest. To this end, the Foundation has deployed volunteer monitors across the country to help in monitoring the conduct of law enforcement personnel to ensure that the right of Nigerians are respected and protected.
“In preparation for the national protest, the CLEEN Foundation organized a virtual dialogue that brought together key stakeholders to discuss crowd management, interventions, and control measures. The dialogue concluded with a strong emphasis on the need for law enforcement agencies to respect the fundamental rights of Nigerians while maintaining law and order.
“The demands of the public, protesters have articulated several key demands aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and overall governance.
“Overview of the Protest
“North Central – Niger, Nassarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, Plateau & FCT: In the FCT, the atmosphere which was peaceful at the start, got tense as our monitors noted that the security forces on ground released “tear gas” to disperse protesters. It was also reported that Travelers’ vehicles were attacked along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway by some hoodlums who joined the protest. Whereas in Plateau, our observer noted a rather peaceful demonstration with cooperation from the Police and the Public. Meanwhile, there were reports from Suleja, Niger state of shooting by law enforcement personnel which led to the death of some of protesters while others were badly injured.
“North West – Sokoto, Katsina, Jigawa, Kano, Zamfara, Kaduna & Kebbi: In the face of the unrest arising from the protest in Kano State, the Governor has declared a 24-hours curfew in the state with immediate effect. During the protest, it was gathered that NCC Digital Innovation Park in Kano was looted and set ablaze by hoodlums. This building was set to host a buildathon holiday maker programme for secondary school students in the coming weeks. Reported attacks were also recorded on the Kaduna State Transport and Environmental Management Agency, Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Authority (KASTLEA) and the Kaduna Investment and Promotions Agency (KADIPA). Other Government property like traffic signals were reportedly destroyed.
“North East – Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, Yobe & Borno : Following reports of shooting and violent turn of the protest in Maiduguri, Borno state, the government has imposed a 24-hour curfew in response to ongoing protests in the State. The Yobe Government equally has declared a 24-hour curfew in Postikum, Gashua and Nguru Local Government Areas of the state to contain the destruction of public and private infrastructure by hoodlums disrupting the protest.
“South South – Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers & Bayelsa : Protesters reportedly stormed a storage facility in Urora, Ikpoba-Okha LGA, and looted federal government palliatives in Edo State. Whereas in Rivers State, the area is reportedly calm.
“South West – Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo & Lagos : Protest in the South West especially Lagos has been greeted with heavy security presence but surprisingly peaceful outcomes during the demonstrations with cooperation from the Police.
“South East – Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi & Imo: Unknown gunmen reportedly attacked officials of the DSS in Orsu LGA, Imo state. In Enugu State, observers reported that this incidence did not disrupt the relatively peaceful atmosphere in the state.
“CLEEN Foundation has observed across the country that the start to the civil action panned out much more reasonably than previous occurrences. The Police are being largely cooperative and the citizens in most areas are making their points know without excessive violence. Nonetheless we have identified the following threats which have become trends during mass actions such as these; Curfews, Vandalism/ Looting, Security Interference, Death & Injuries.
“Conclusion
“CLEEN Foundation urges the general public to exercise caution and maintain situational awareness while upholding the rule of law. So far, there is no response by the Government in response to the protest or provision of support services. As an organisation, our immediate concerns are around some civilians misplaced priorities at times like these. Destruction of Government property causes a setback for integrating technology and job creation opportunities for the youth in Nigeria.
“CLEEN Foundation expresses commitment to continued support to highlight the underlying issues raised by the protesters. We urge all parties involved to exercise restraint and engage in constructive dialogue. We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide further updates as needed.”