By Adam Ahmed, Gusau
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has called for calm Amidst Violent Protests in Zamfara State.
The call was made by the Zamfara State Coordinator Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) Hassan Hussain in a statement issued to newsmen in Gusau Tuesday.
“Over the past few days, the CNG has been monitoring development across the 19 northern states in respect of the national peaceful protest, which began on August 1, 2024”.
The CNG recognised the constitutional rights of Nigerians to assemble and protest peacefully, adding that Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) allows citizens to peacefully protest and demand accountability, transparency, and good governance.
“In the last three days, what began as a peaceful protest in northern states has tragically degenerated into violence, particularly in Kano, Kaduna, and Jigawa states, among others. Public and private properties were destroyed; shops and stores were looted; hundreds of protesters and security personnel sustained various injuries; and many people lost their lives”.
“In Zamfara State, the last three days of the protest were peaceful, devoid of harassment, and maltreatment of protesters by security agents deployed to ensure their safety and prevent the infiltration of criminal elements”.
“Three days ago, we observed young men and women’s procession through the various routes of the state’s capital, escorted by the security agents.
However, on Monday, August 5, 2024, the protest took on a different dimension”.
According to him, the collision noticed the infiltration of criminal elements who manipulate the protesters (mostly underage) and trigger violence.
CNG further stated that during the protest, the criminal elements succeeded in hijacking the peaceful protest and subsequently making it violent and many protesters sustained serious injuries, public and private properties were destroyed, businesses, public offices, and schools were shut down.
“This dire situation makes this moment critical in the history of Zamfara State and at the beginning, the peaceful protest was a testament to the citizens’ right to voice their concerns”.
The coalition observed that Zamfara State has long been a beacon of resilience amidst adversity, and if the current violent protest persists, stressing that it may threaten the fragile peace in the states and trigger another cycle of insecurity.
The coalition appealed to all parties involved to exercise restraint and engage in peaceful dialogue and constructive engagement to air their grievances.
“Our collective response to this situation will determine not only the immediate resolution but also the long-term stability and unity of our dear state,
In light of Monday’s events in Zamfara, where a peaceful protest has regrettably turned violent, and given the fragile state of peace in the state, it is crucial that we prioritise dialogue and non-violence to achieve the peace and security our dear states desire”.
“The Infiltration of Foreign Agents and the Need for Stakeholders to Exhibit Patriotism the CNG has noticed that some of the protesters in Zamfara State were flying foreign flags, chanting anti-democratic songs, and calling on President Putin of Russia and the military to intervene in Nigeria’s governance”.
” We believe that democracy has not served its primary purpose, but our collective will and determination can make it work”.
The coalition further observed that allowing foreign actors to interfere in domestic protests threatens the sovereignty of our country and it may compromise Nigeria’s ability to manage internal affairs independently and diminish the legitimacy of our governance structures.
“Protecting our sovereignty is essential to maintaining national integrity and ensuring that decisions affecting our people are made by our own leaders and institutions”.
According to CNG, the infiltration of foreign agents and governments into Nigeria’s affairs could undermine the genuine grievances of the protesters and distort the objectives of the protests.
“The CNG also believes that the involvement of foreign agents can escalate tensions, leading to increased violence and instability, particularly in Zamfara State and external parties may have their own strategic interests, and their actions could escalate the current insecurity in the state.”