The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Edo state on Friday condemned the alleged hijack of the #EndSARS protest in Benin and the harassment and molestation of youths who were participating in an otherwise peaceful protest in Benin City by thugs.
The party, in a statement by the state publicity secretary, Chris Osa Nehikhare, said it was bewildered to hear that the moribund EPM faction of the APC allegedly unleashed its thugs on Edo youths, intimidating, brutalizing and wounding many in the King’s Square area of Benin City as revenge for their rejection during the gubernatorial polls that took place on September 19, 2020.
The party said the behaviour of the thugs was more vexatious especially when it was juxtaposed against the reason for the protest.
“Their ignorance is frightening and should be an embarrassment to their sponsors!
“We call on the police authorities to fish out the thugs responsible for this dastardly act and urge the Police to provide security for the protesters at all times.
“Anything short of this will amount to enabling these undesirable elements.
“For the record, we welcome the dissolution of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the police and support the call for immediate steps to completely overhaul and restructure the entire police architecture to engender professionalism, adherence to rule of law and respect for the fundamental rights of Nigerians.
“We must also say we are very proud of the way Edo youths have comported themselves as they make these demands that will be of enormous benefit to all Nigerians now and in the future,” the PDP said.
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