An apex online social media group for Ika people both home and abroad, Ika Village Square (IVS) has hailed the peaceful protests currently staged by Nigerian youths across different parts of the country, describing it as a welcome development.
IVS, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Engr. Smart Ikem also called for a leadership structure among the youths to enable them drive home their demands.
The IVS statement on the ENDSARS peaceful protests reads, “The leadership of Ika Village Square, IVS, was forced to hold an emergency meeting to evaluate the current widespread protests in Nigeria tagged “ENDSARS”. The protests seek the proscription of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) as a result of violations of the human rights of Nigerians by the Police unit.
The meeting observed and resolved as follows:
“One. That the spontaneous protests by Nigerians, mostly youths, against the brutality of the Police Squad were expected and welcomed.
“Two. That the protests as executed by the organizers were peaceful and well-coordinated.
“Three. That the reasons and grievances for the protests are long overdue for government to address.
“Four. That the organizers of the protests should without further delay develop leadership structure that accommodates the divergent interests of Nigerian State.
“Five. That was all wars or protests end at a roundtable, the protesters should be willing and ready to meet with government to find solutions to the myriads of issues raised.
“Six. Those governments without further delay show commitment to some of the issues raised by immediately investigating all heads of all security agencies including Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police under whose watch police unleashed mayhem on defenseless Nigerians and punish as appropriate.
“Seven. That the protesters should avoid hoodlums and miscreants from infiltrating their various groups
“Eight. That peaceful protest should not be allowed to turn violent no matter the provocation.
“Nine. That the recent jailbreaks and burning of Police Stations in Benin City clearly derailed the aim of the protests
“Ten. That we appreciate the responses from some political leaders such as Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State for creating Panels of Enquiry on Human Rights Abuses by SARS and other Police Formations.
“Eleven. Those security agents especially, the Police and Army should not under any disguise interfere with the protests.”
Engr. Smart Ikem, Chairman, IVS
Barr. Eugene Uzum, Convener, IVS
Williams Eghebi, Publicity Secretary
