The President has asked the security chiefs to investigate the killings of protesters in various cities
President Goodluck Jonathan has directed all security chiefs in the country to look into the violence that led to the loss of lives in the ongoing protest by Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and other groups and bring the perpetrators to book.
This was disclosed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Hafiz Ringim who spoke to journalists at the Presidential villa after a meeting of security chiefs with the president at the yesterday.
Ringim said the NLC was not responsible for what had happened stating that the violent situations which led to the killings across the country was the handiwork of miscreants and not the organised labour sector.
The IGP showed the journalists photographs of the incidents to buttress his point as he said, "I have spoken to you on the two incidences that led to the death of rioters. They were not part of the NLC people. They NLC while in Kano went to the race course. Some miscreants went to the government House. I will show you the photographs gentlemen if you'll just permit me. Look at this; these are photographs. Clearly, you can see over 30 vehicles were burnt in Kano government House. Look at this. This is a fence 4rm government House.
"Would you look at this and say this is the work of NLC? No gentlemen. This was certainly not the work of NLC. This was the work of miscreants who wanted to burn and maim and loot. And the police have a responsibility to maintain law and order and that's what we did".
Speaking on case of the young boy who was reportedly killed by the police in Lagos he said, "I have ordered for an investigation and that is what I'm suppose to do. After the investigation, I have made a promise that the result will be made public and whoever is found culpable would be charged to court".
He also said the security meeting between with the president was centered on the progress report by the law enforcement agencies with regards to what has happened in the last three days, following the mass protest against fuel subsidy removal.
"We are satisfied with the NLC. The NLC on its own has been conducting itself in the best peaceful manner that it possibly can. However, it is also believed that there were some miscreants that were trying to hijack this process and make it violent and we are not going to allow it as law enforcement officers".
Speaking on the number of deaths recorded within this period of protest, the IGP said "As far as I know, as far as the records are concerned, three people have so far lost their lives. However, if you have any other dead bodies, please bring them forward, but the ones on record are three".
The Minister of Defence, Haliru Bello Mohammed who also spoke to journalists after the meeting asked Nigerians to continue living where they were, as arrangements have been made by security forces to protect all Nigerians across the country against any ultimatum issued by the Boko Haram islamic sect which has said southerners should migrate from the North to their various states.
"Government is very concerned and all measures are being taken to alleviate the situation, in fact we are on top of the situation," he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment