"Unreasonable Demands" Of #EndSARS Protesters Could Lead To Anarchy - Nigerian Government

The Federal Government has claimed that “unreasonable demands” by #EndSARS protesters may lead to anarchy.

It alleged that individuals with sinister motives had infiltrated the peaceful protests and were attacking, killing and destroying property, blocking roads and causing mayhem.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, told members of the Diplomatic Corps in Abuja on Tuesday that the government had agreed to five of the demands made by the activists.

The diplomatic briefing, which was at the instance of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, had in attendance the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada; and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Anthonia Ekpa.

The parley was attended by diplomats from different countries.

Mohammed recalled that on October 12, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) intervened when he addressed Nigerians and said the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad was the first step in the comprehensive reform of the police.

He also recalled that the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, had on October 13 summoned all former members of SARS for debriefing and medical examination before redeployment, and two days later, the National Economic Council took far-reaching decisions that took care of every demand of the protesters.

The minister said what bothered the government was that after the five demands had been met, the protests, rather than abate, was getting stronger.

He told the envoys that the protesters started with five demands, but came forward with more, even as he said with every demand met by the government, the goal post was shifted.

Mohammed stated, “And the government noticed very soon that some people with ulterior motives were exploiting a very innocent and just protest to destabilise the polity.

Speaking earlier, Onyeama said the government had also seen that movements such as the #EndSARS were open and vulnerable to infiltration by those with ulterior motives and other agenda.

Also speaking, Sirika said, “#EndSARS and similar agitations, not only in Nigeria, but all over the world, are things that do happen. But what is important is what is the role and the response of the government. This government has shown that it is a responsible and responsive government.”