Yemisi Izuora
The Lagos Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has strongly condemned the reports of shootings and killings of Protesters at the Lekki Tollgate by security agents yesterday evening.
In a statement, Dr Qasim Akinreti Chairman, NUJ Lagos State council extended the Association’s condolences to the family of those affected by this conflict and prayed for the repose of soul of the dead and wishing quick recovery for those in the hospitals.
“This ugly development put Nigeria again on the global map of a Nation where human rights are being abused and not respected.
:Protests are essential ingredients of a democracy. It must be handled with utmost sense of responsibility and tact.
“I equally condemned the arson, looting and destruction of public properties ,police stations and other acts of criminality.
“I appeal to my colleagues to uphold the tenets of Reporting Conflicts as earlier advised and stay safe.
“Finally , I urged Protesters to be ready for dialogue on their demands as espoused by Mr Ebun Adegoruwa ,a civil rights lawyer on ChannelTv and other well meaning Nigerians this morning.
“I strongly commended the Lagos State government for set up a commission of inquiry into the human rights abuses and police brutality., Akinreti said.
He said the Governor of Lagos State has shown statemanship in bring the demands of Protesters to the Nigerian President and the police High command and appealled to the Governor to ensure that the committee delivered appropriately on the terms of reference.