The Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion has thrown its support behind the courageous young people of Nigeria for peacefully protesting police brutality, impunity and injustice across the country.
In a Press statement read to newsmen by the Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of the church of Nigeria Anglican Communion Most Revd Henry Ndukuba said in unmistakable words of the “the undeniable tales of untold brutality and atrocities allegedly committed by this particular Unit of the Nigeria Police Force”.
The Church he said “cannot be silent in the midst of such credible reports of widespread abuse of power and oppression of citizens, especially by those empowered by the State to protect citizens’ rights, lives and property.”
Full Text reads:
“THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA
(ANGLICAN COMMUNION) ON
#ENDSARS PROTESTS.
“The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) (‘the Church’) has in the past week observed the ongoing #EndSARS protests and
wishes to express its solidarity with the courageous young people of this country who have been peacefully protesting police
brutality, impunity and injustice, in cities across Nigeria. The undeniable tales of untold brutality and atrocities allegedly committed by this particular Unit of the Nigeria Police Force
which have come to light, must be thoroughly investigated and the culprits made to face the due process of law which they callously denied their hapless victims.
“The Church cannot be silent in the midst of such credible reports of widespread abuse of power and oppression of citizens, especially by those empowered by the State to protect citizens’ rights, lives and property.
“While commending its prompt action in disbanding the SARS unit, Government must resist the temptation to immediately
replace SARS with another unit by whatever name, without first fully assimilating the demands on behalf of countless victims of
police brutality and addressing the issues of gross abuse of power and privilege, violation of human rights, and the consequent youth frustration and anger highlighted through the
ongoing #EndSARS EndSWAT protests.
“Government must also urgently address the neglect and abject conditions of service of the Nigeria Police Force as a whole through immediate and holistic reforms. As a Church and as Nigerian citizens of all faiths we have a
responsibility to help reshape our country. The #EndSARS cry against those who perpetuate and perpetrate injustice by spilling innocent blood in our land is a passionate appeal for the
enforcement of the rule of law that Government should embrace.
“We therefore pray for wisdom for our political leaders at all levels to explore peaceful and non-violent means to contain this crisis
and bring an end to impunity and injustice in all its forms and ramifications in Nigeria.
We pray also for our youth generally and especially for all those participating in the protests at this time, to remain peaceful and
law abiding and for wisdom and calm to focus on realizing the change in our country that all Nigerians seek.