The Federal Government said it has been able to contain the nationwide protests against bad governance, and is set to launch investigation into the violence that trailed it.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, who briefed the diplomatic community on the incident in Abuja, yesterday, said the peaceful protests was hijacked in some states and in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
“There were reports of arson, vandalism, looting, and clashes with law enforcement agents in several cities. “Tragically, these incidents led to loss of innocent lives and significant damage to properties,” Idris said in a statement by his special assistant on media, Rabiu Ibrahim.
The minister stated that the Federal Government invited security agencies to restore peace and order, adding that they were instructed to exercise restraint and adhere to international standards in managing civil protests. “They have, indeed, put in a lot of work to ensure the safety of all law-abiding Nigerians, and to maintain order, in the last week.
“But they have also been decisive in their response to criminality, and it is important to separate these from their commendable approach to legitimate protests,” he said, assuring that the Federal Government is determined to identify instigators of the violence and bring them to justice.
He added that government is “committed to preventing the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents in the future.” The minister stated that t6he administration’s “primary focus is not to impose hardship on Nigerians but to correct poor policies and dysfunctional choices that have historically hindered Nigeria’s progress, with bold and effective solutions.”
His words: “President Tinubu did not come to office to cause hardship or make life difficult for Nigerians. He has come to office with bold solutions to historical problems; with the determination to correct many of the poor policies and dysfunctional choices that have held us back as a nation for decades.
“Faced with these daunting realities, the administration took decisive action and implemented long overdue reforms to save the economy from collapse.”
The minister stated that the president was aware that the withdrawal of fuel subsidy and the harmonisation of foreign exchange rates would come with some transitional pains, and explained that the situation informed the decision to design comprehensive intervention programmes to cushion the transitional pains.
“We have been very determined about ensuring that these interventions are fully implemented, and bring the intended relief to Nigerians,” he added.
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