#EndSARS Protest: 23 CSOs Condemn Plateau Looting, Massive Destruction
Applaud Operation Safe Haven
Want perpetrators punished
Charge Gov Lalong on effective youths engagement, peace pact
BY EDMOND ODOK – The Coalition of Civil Societies for Peace and Human Rights (COCIPAH) has berated perpetrators of the massive looting and burning of public and private properties which left Plateau State bleeding following the #EndSARS protests that turned violent across the country.
COCIPAH, an umbrella body of 23 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), said despite obvious shortcomings of government in addressing the plight of Nigerians, there is no justification for individuals or groups to take laws into their hands.
The CSOs, who praised the professionalism exhibited by the Special Military Task Force, codenamed Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) in handling the ugly situation, urged Governor Simon Lalong to initiate and consummate a peace pact with the youth to forestall a recurrence.
In a statement by its National Chairman, Gyang Sha, and National Secretary, Simon Ventim, COCIPAH denounced the massive looting and destruction of public and private property by hooligans who hijacked the #EndSARS protests in the North Central State.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the recent mass looting and stealing of both government and private properties in some parts of Nigeria, particularly in Jos, Plateau State and call on law enforcement agencies to swing into action with a view to arresting the perpetrators of these crimes against humanity.
“Despite some of the shortcomings of our government to the plight of its citizens, nobody has the justification to take laws into his or her hands”, the body said
The statement lauded Nigeria’s military for demonstrating restraint and professionalism during and after the violent uprising in the country, saying; “This approach went a long way in managing the conflict and positioning our army as a democratically infused one.
“We want to particularly commend Operation Safe Haven, the special military task force setup to keep peace in Plateau, Southern Kaduna and Bauchi states, for the exceptional role they played in deescalating the violent conflict in Jos.”
Particularly expressing concerns about Jos, the Plateau state capital being a melting point for Nigerians, COCIPAH noted that “any conflict that escalates in the state may have national consequences because of its religious and ethnic sensitivities.
“But we are pleased with the professionalism exhibited by Operation Safe Haven and other security agencies in handling the situation.
“At a point before the military came out, the hoodlums and looters were operating with impunity, stealing and destroying people’s private properties unchallenged until Operation Safe Haven stepped in and saved the situation. They made several arrests and recovered exhibits of high magnitude.
“This singular act went a long way in deterring the looters who were operating initially as if there is no law in Nigeria.”
The CSOs have therefore charged Governor Lalong to urgently initiate processes for effective youth engagement, lamenting that at present, a huge communication gap exist between the youths and governance structures in the State.
According to COCIPAH, “This is one of the major factors responsible for the high level of destruction in some states in Nigeria, particularly in Plateau State.”
