The CLEEN Foundation has urged protesters to stop using juveniles as shield in the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests.
This formed part of its recommendations in a report titled: Observation on the Conduct of Law Enforcement Personnel During The Nationwide #EndBadGovernance Protests In Nigeria. The group based its recommendation on Day 1 protests.
The non–governmental organisation known for promoting public safety, security and accessible justice through the strategies of empirical research, legislative advocacy, amongst other approaches, made this scary observation about the use of young children and young ones as a shield.
CLEEN Foundation Recommends
Meanwhile, the group highlighted additional recommendations in light of the recent observations from monitoring the conduct of law enforcement agencies in the #EndBadGovernance protests.
Among the recommendations is that the President should urgently engage in dialogue with the youth to address the concerns that led to the nationwide protest. Efforts should be made to meet their demands.
The report also has it that Security and Law Enforcement Agencies, led by the Inspector General of Police, should ensure that personnel deployed as first responders to the nationwide protests are equipped with modern policing equipment for their personal safety and security, as well as that of the protesters, while discharging their constitutional duties. The use of force must be proportionate to the threats. All allegations of misconduct by LEAs or against them should be investigated and perpetrators brought to justice.
The CLEEN Foundation also urges protesters to remain peaceful and avoid taking the law into their own hands. They should stop using juveniles as a shield.
Hospitals should ensure that protesters who have sustained injuries during the protests are well taken care of, and the lives of victims of gunshots should be saved first before demanding police reports.
Civil society organisations and other stakeholders should continue to monitor the protests closely, and document their observations.
