Yoruba socio cultural group, the Coalition of Oodua Self Determination Group(COSEG) has condemned in strong terms, the killing of innocent protesters and security details in Lagos State, calling on the state government to ensure justice is done in this circumstance.
The group In a press release in Ikeja on Wednesday, 21 October, 2020 signed by Comrades Dayo Ogunlana and Dele Daramola, Chairman and Publicity Secretary of its coordinating Council respectively condemned in strong terms the massacre in Lekki by soldiers and Mushin by policemen.
According to COSEG, “we are not unaware of the massacre by Nigerian military and police men in both Lekki and Mushin areas of Lagos State on a black Tuesday. We wish to state without any contradiction that these shootings and massacre on peaceful youth are barbaric, callous, unwarranted, wicked, inhuman, unjust and undefendable.This is just unimaginable.
“As an organization that was formed to defend our race, we cannot sit down and keep quiet and allow this heinous crime perpetrated against our people to go unchallenged. This is a sad story in the history of Nigeria”.
COSEG therefore called on the Nigerian Government to retrace its steps in the attempts to use force and military men to stop peaceful protests of people demanding for their rights.
The group said, “moreso that we condemn violence in the street protest march, we call on the Goverment to retrace its steps in the march to forcefully stop the ongoing protests as brute force will escalate the ongoing protests. It is absurd and uncivilized to use military and brute force at this digital age”.
The group also called on youths to stop the ongoing destruction of property in retaliation for the massacre in Lekki and Mushin, stressing that, “the massacre in Lekki and Mushin is uncalled for, unpatriotic and highly callous but we appeal to our teeming youths who are highly infuriated to stop the destruction of properties as revenge on the avoidable and callous killings. We are with you, we share your pains and will do everything to ensure those who perpetrated the dastardly act do not go unpunished. We shall continue to support and guide you so that all your demands are implemented. It’s a struggle for all”.
COSEG however re-iterated its age long appeal to President Buhari in consonance with the National Assembly to sincerely convoke a Sovereign National Conference urgently which its outcome will be implemented.
“This is the only route to ensure peace, tranquility and orderliness. They cannot continue to run away from this noble path except they are comfortable with this current situation where prosperity is not guaranteed for the people except themselves because it will continue to increase their take home as they will continue to defend their payment on security to swindle our people.
“The time for the National conference is now,” COSEG concluded.