In response to the alleged killings of six protesters in Suleja, Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, the Minna branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is urging the establishment of an independent panel to conduct a thorough investigation.
Criticizing security agencies for resorting to force during the nationwide mass protest against hunger and hardship in parts of Niger State, the association is advocating for accountability and justice.
Issuing a statement that was signed by the chairman of the Minna branch of NBA, Isyaku Barau, emphasized the need for a transparent investigation into the tragic incident.
Expressing strong condemnation for the violent protests that led to the loss of lives, Barau stressed the importance of holding those responsible accountable through an independent and unbiased panel.
The NBA’s statement also praised the residents of the state for choosing not to partake in the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests, highlighting the prevailing conditions of hunger and suffering among Nigerians.
Barau urged the government to take immediate actions to alleviate the hardship faced by its citizens and called for constructive dialogue as opposed to protests that could potentially escalate into violence.
Referencing the concern raised by the NBA President, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, regarding the risk of peaceful protests being hijacked by troublemakers, Barau stressed the importance of vigilant monitoring of the situation.
In line with the directives from the NBA President, the Minna branch has established a committee tasked with overseeing the protests, ensuring the protection of peaceful demonstrators, and providing legal aid if required.
While acknowledging the right of Nigerians to protest, the NBA Minna branch strongly denounced any acts of violence, vandalism, and destruction of public property under the guise of protesting, citing the recent attack on the Local Government Secretariat in Tafa as a prime example.
The decision of many in Niger State to abstain from the protests is attributed to the perceived positive impact of the state government’s initiatives on urban renewal and food security, which are expected to address the prevailing hunger crisis.