#EndSARS: Protests Resume in Osun State; Buhari Threatens to deal with ‘any act of hooliganism’ in Protests

Some Nigerian youths have resumed what they termed a second wave of #EndSARS protest in Osogbo, the Osun state capital, demanding an end to all forms of police brutality.

This development is coming at a time the government has threatened to clamp down on any fresh demonstration, particularly if it threatens to disrupt peace and security of any part of the country, as high treason aimed at unconstitutional regime change.

The demonstrators, in their hundreds, were also demanding the release of all detained protesters and unfreezing of their accounts by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

They had converged at the Ogo-Oluwa area and marched to the Osun State House of Assembly where it’s believed they will demand an audience with the leadership of the Assembly.

Some of the protesters had various placards which read: “We are not fighting for any political party”, “#End Bad Judiciary in Nigeria”, “#End fake judicial panel of Inquiry in Osun”, “Unfreeze all the frozen account”, “We are Nigerian youths,” among others.

The federal government had recently said it will treat any fresh demonstration particularly if it threatens to disrupt peace and security of any part of the country, as high treason aimed at unconstitutional regime change.

On Monday, the Nigerian leader President Muhammadu Buhari warned that his administration will decisively deal with any act of hooliganism from Nigerians who hide behind the guise of peaceful protests.

The President’s comment comes as some Nigerians prepared to take to the streets again in continuation of the #EndSARS protest.

“I want to reiterate our government’s commitment to the rights of citizens to embark on peaceful protests,” Buhari said while declaring open the Chief of Army Staff’s Annual Conference 2020 in Abuja.

“However, this must be done responsibly and in accordance with the laws of the land.

“I also wish to state that any act of hooliganism hiding behind lawful and peaceful protests will be dealt with decisively to ensure the peace and stability of our nation.”

It could be recalled that in October, there was nationwide demonstrations against police brutality with several reports suggesting the army shot at protesters at the Lekki Toll Plaza, in Lagos state, an incident reports suggest claimed some lives. The army has vehemently denied shooting at protesters.

At Osogbo where the second wave of protests is currently holding, suspected hoodlums attacked the state Governor Gboyega Oyetola while he addressed protesters.