The Save Nigeria Movement (SNM), a pro-democracy group has described the onslaught against secessionists in the country as efforts in the best interest of the country.
SNM convener, Mr Solomon Semaka while addressing a press conference Wednesday in Abuja, endorsed the decision by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to ban rallies in the country, arguing that the measure is aimed at averting the reoccurrence of the #ENDSARS protests which led to destruction of lives and property in Lagos.
The group insists that the decision by security agents to arrest secessionists, Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho, was in tandem with the dictates of the law, expressing surprise that a national daily (not Blueprint) went out of its ways to reportedly whip up sentiments and discredit such security operation which was in the best interest of the country.
It noted: “No responsible citizen or media organ would support violence as a means to an end. This is only possible in Igboho’s and The Nation’s Banana Republic. And Nigeria is not a Banana Republic; a reason the security agencies could not have idly stood by and watch them subvert the peace.
“Therefore, the NPF should not be blamed for placing a ban on protests as a proactive measure to prevent similar destructions under the guise of protests. The arrest of protesters for flagrantly disobeying its order especially that some were found to be in possession of incriminating items such as guns and other dangerous weapons should rather be commended and not condemned.
“The claim that security agencies have failed to combat the activities of criminal herdsmen and bandits operating in the country is too petty an assertion for The Nation to peddle.
“The fact remains that government and security agencies have continued to confront the menace of banditry and terrorism in the North and everyday day bandits and terrorists are pounded.
“The paper’s argument that Igboho’s activities (no matter how provocative and offensive) are guaranteed by the constitution, is also misleading and indeed laughable. Its choice of selective amnesia about the constitutional provision in Section 44 (1) that freedom ends where it becomes an infringement on the fundamental rights of others is shocking. It is common knowledge that Igboho serially infringed on fundamental rights of others.”
