Catholic Bishops of Nigeria have lend their voices to the call for a total reform of the entire Police Force and responsive system of governance for the betterment of every Nigerian.
Augustine Akubeze, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), made the call at the weekend, in a press release titled, “EndSARS protest: A cry for justice and peace in Nigeria,” and seen by our reporter in Benin City.
Akubeze urged the Federal Government to fulfil its primary constitutional responsibility of securing life and property of every Nigerian and provide opportunities for them to realise their God-given potential.
He said that the ongoing #EndSARS protest against Police brutality and injustice has acted as a catalyst to demand for transparent, accountable and effective leadership.
While noting that the protest goes beyond disbanding the SARS unit of the Police, he explained that it is a call for a review, that will take care of the proper training, equipping, and promotion system devoid of nepotism as well as meaningful welfare package for every personnel of the Police force.
“The youths are therefore simply calling for justice not just for themselves, but for the entire nation so that Nigeria can have peace. Whereas the Federal Government keeps asking for peace and calm in the face of every crisis, the present agitation shows that our youths have run out of patience and are tired of the lip-service paid by the government of the day towards a just and peaceful society.
“We the members of the CBCN have followed the protests with keen interest and call on the Federal Government of Nigeria once again to listen to the cry for justice so that peace can reign in our country.
“The protest seems to have a life of its own and it is spreading all over the country; this shows that most Nigerians are facing the same oppression and brutality inflicted by the SARS.
“The cries for justice by our youths must be seen as a cry for peace in Nigeria. The youths want a Nigeria where there will be education without industrial strikes. They want a Nigeria society where the child of nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody. They want a Nigeria where knowledge and skills will meet gainful employment,” he said.
Akubeze who is also the Archbishop of Benin Diocese, appealed that the youths should be allowed without any intimidation to exercise their right to peaceful demonstration, and should not be provoked to violence.
He however, warned the youths to eschew every form of violence during the protest, so as not to jeopardize the message being conveyed.
