By Nicholas Kalu, Abuja

A group known as Citizens for Good Governance (CAGG) has condemned the recent acts of violence, arson, vandalization, mayhem and looting in certain parts of the country.

Its National Coordinator, Nazir Galadanchi, who addressed reporters on the gallantry of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies in Abuja, urged that anybody caught or believed to be connected to the dastardly acts of looting and destruction must not be spared, and must be duly prosecuted.

Galadanchi said, “The Citizens Action for Good Governance (CAGG) would like to debunk the claims by mischief makers, naysayers and those who do not mean well for our country that Nigeria is slipping into lawlessness. We may have been experiencing some security challenges, but it is highly unpatriotic to paint a picture of armageddon or anarchy. In any case, the conflicts and other security problems bedeviling the country are not insurmountable or even unexpected for a developing nation in transition to greatness.

“We would like to seize this opportunity to commend His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment towards bequeathing a peaceful, progressive, prosperous and united nation. We salute his passion for good governance and development of the country.

“We also salute the doggedness of the IGP, Mohammed Adamu Abubakar, and other service chiefs for their onerous efforts to guarantee security of lives and property in this trying times in line with the orders of Mr President. May their efforts be crowned in success. Amin.

“We would like to firmly and unequivocally condemn the recent acts of violence, arson, vandalization, mayhem and looting in certain parts of the country perpetrated by agents of doom, plain criminals and nihilists, ostensibly in the name of #EndSARS. We hereby call on the police and other security agents not to spare anybody caught or believed to be connected to the dastardly acts of looting and destruction. They must be dealt with ruthlessly and duly prosecuted and punished.

Read Also: From #EndSARS to #EndLOOTING: It’s time to heal

“The acts of bestiality perpetrated in the name of #EndSARS is, to say least, very barbaric and demonic, and those who hid under the guise of #EndSARS protests to unleash terror on innocent Nigerians are the real enemies of our country. Their action is purely anti-people, anti-democratic, and sheer wickedness. Remember that these criminal elements embarked on willful attacks on persons and destruction of public and private property, looting spree and arson, smashing vehicles, and even murder. Regrettably officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force were the main target.

“Those who take advantage of the attack on the Police community by looting and destruction of public and private facilities should be immediately arrested, prosecuted and be made to face the wrath of the law. We are aware that the real intention was to demoralise the Nigerian Police personnel by burning their facilities, carting away their weapons and killing their personnel. The aim was also to demonize and intimidate the men and women of the force. But they are totally wrong and have failed.

“We hereby commiserate with the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammad Adamu Abubakar and families of the Police personnel who lost their lives, including the injured, during the unfortunate incidents across the country.

We assure the IGP and indeed the entire Police family of our unflinching support in their efforts of keeping Nigerians protected, and maintaining law and order. We salute the heroismand courage of officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force for their gallantry even in the face of attacks, provocation and adversity.

“These great and patriotic officers and men are still doing their jobs of keeping us secure and safe. We commend them and want them to know that millions of Nigerians appreciate their efforts, supports them and are praying for them.

We want to appeal to the government to focus on the welfare of these gallant police officers and men in terms of better training, provision of modern kits and equipment, and increase in their salary packages as promised by Mr President during his national broadcast recently.

“We also call on state governors to support the NPF with all the resources they can muster to meet their needs for effective protection of lives and properties of citizens in their states. We are saying this because the police right now is the target of criminals and evil-minded and failed politicians. We once again, wish to assure the NPF that patriotic Nigerians will never allow this country to slip into anarchy. We will join forces with the security agents in this country to stop it from happening.

“Also, we want to advise the youths to cooperate, support and give government chance to fulfill its pledge and commitments made during the #EndSARS protests and after, including the pledge to reposition and transform the police and roll out short, medium and long term programmes that wouldsecure this country, create jobs and wealth for all.

“We however, condemn the decision of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, to offer free legal services to those who have committed criminal offences of looting, vandalism and arson, without extending similar pro bono services to the families of injured and murdered police officers in the line of duty. This is quite curious, strange, unprofessional and tends to portray the NBA as supportive of, or even complicit, in the dastardly actions of these alleged enemies of peace and of Nigeria.

“It equally portrays the NBA as enablers of crime and anarchy. How sad!

We wish to recommend that affected police officers and men should be given unfettered access to free legal services and accorded justice and fair hearing at the various Panels of Inquiry set up by the Federal Government and in the states because in the first instance, they are Nigerian citizens before they are Police officers and men. They are therefore deserving of free legal services. So we challenge the leadership of the NBA to retrace their steps and do the right thing in the spirit of patriotism and fairness.

“It’s noteworthy that Section 2 of the Public Officers Protection Acts is to the effect that any complaint against the action of a Public Officer must be made within three months of the occurrence of the action or stoppage of the occurrence of the action. In the light of the above, and in the spirit of fairness and justice to all, the panels’ terms of reference should be amended to include the families of police officers killed by armed robbers while in active service so that they too can be beneficiaries of compensation as recommended by the panel.

“We also unequivocally condemn Amnesty International for their penchant for fueling crises and thriving on fake news, mainly lifted on social media, without verifiable evidence. Their claims are always one-sided, condescending, laced with mischief, and hubris. It is sad that they don’t recognise the police officers killed and their families’ pains and grief. Their hypocrisy is nauseating and highly infuriating.

“We therefore call on the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and members of the National Assembly, State Governors, the international community, various civil society organizations, the media as well as notable bloggers to consider the plights of Nigeria police men and women who are being attacked, killed and injured on the line of duty because Police officer’s lives also matter.

“Meanwhile, relevant authorities including traditional rulers, youth leaders and vigilantes should also go after these looters in their communities to fish them out and hand them over to security agencies. We conclude by quoting a wise saying, ‘A society that wages war against its police should be ready to make peace with its criminals.’”