End SARS: "You won the battle; don't lose the war" - Kogi Governor to Nigerian Youth »

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has enjoined the nation’s youths to shield their swords and give the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari a chance to push through with its reforms in the security sector.

In a broadcast on the subject matter, the Governor expressed confidence in the ability of the President to march his words with action, adding that it was in the best interest of the protesters to now bring their agitation to en end.

According to the Governor, he was in support of the protest as the face of the Nigerian Youth, but that the events of Monday through Tuesday had shown that people with sinister intentions have infiltrated the genuinely aggrieved people, making its essence to lose luster.

He assured the youths that unlike in the past, the Speciall Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police has been disbanded nationwide, debunking suspicion that the pronounced disbandment was yet another smokescreen as has been the practice.

Governor Bello admitted that SARS had caused so much pains to average Nigerians in the past, which has caused the image of the police to be battered as a result of the unsavoury behaviour of the few, necessitating the need for total and urgent overhaul.

He said he and the country’s President support the agitation which have rise to permission for the disbandment, hence the swift response it got.

“Mr President is someone is so much trust and believe in his words. I am confident he will push through the reform.

“I and others who believe in this cause are therefore pained by this violent escalation witnessed in several parts of the country on Monday. We are now concerned that what has been a general citizens’ peaceful protest is now threatening to dissolve into mindless attacks on government facilities and running battles with the police.

“From what we have seen, the ranks of the new protesters have been infiltrated by criminal elements armed with dangerous weapons acting in pursuit of nefarious intents.

“I hold the opinion that you have won a battle, and I must now urge you not to lose the war. Protesters have a tangible and moral victory in the bag, and it is wisdom to safeguard it. It is now time to step back and explore other forms of dissent which will not provide crowd cover for persons and agenda which you obviously do not endorse. The nation’s Leadership must also be accorded some time and breathing space to push through on promises of change.

“I also urge the highest levels of professionalism and patience on our officers at this period. In the absence of clear and present threat to lives, there is almost no circumstance under which it is right to engage protesting citizens with extreme prejudice. It is neither morally justifiable nor an acceptable function of the policing duty.

“To all and sundry, I urge that the events of yesterday must not be allowed to continue. It is time to let good sense and dialogue prevail all around.

“Please be assured of my continued support, as well as my willingness to remain an ombudsman toward a peaceful and law-abiding resolution to matters arising in this regard,” he concluded.