#EndSARS: Abia APC Chieftain Alex Otti Condemns Lekki Shooting, Appeals For Peaceful Resolution

A stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Abia State, Alex Otti, has condemned the shooting of unarmed and defenseless protesters by security operatives at Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos.

According to him, there is no justification whatsoever to respond to peaceful protest with live ammunition.

He called on the Federal government to fish out all those involved in the shooting and prosecute them.

Otti made the call in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma and made available to newsmen on Thursday.

He appealed to youths protesting against police brutality in the country to halt the ongoing protests and consider approaching the negotiation table, “especially now that governments at all levels have signalled their willingness to negotiate with the protesters in a bid to find a lasting solution to the their grievances.”

He regretted that government authorities had failed to intervene to stop those acts of violence and brutality perpetrated against innocent Nigerians by security agents for too long, which culminated in the present anger and frustration being expressed by the protesters.

Otti reminded the protesters that they had made a resounding and reverberating statement which had been applauded by citizens from within and outside the country, but maintained that Nigeria’s economy was so fragile that if the protest becomes protracted, it could affect ordinary citizens negatively.

He also decried the alleged destruction and looting of private and public institutions by some persons in different cities, describing it as being inconsistent with the philosophy behind the protest.

According to him, “my understanding is that the protest was not initiated to unleash violence against fellow citizens, but to stop the ones being perpetrated by security agents hence the need for protesters to conduct themselves with decorum and dignity so that they would not end up destroying institutions from which many citizens, including the youths earn a living, thereby losing the massive support of ordinary citizens”.

The ex-GMD of defunct Diamond Bank, called on government to take very urgent and decisive measures to ensure a successful dialogue and provide adequate compensation for the families of fallen citizens.

He prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the incident, while wishing the wounded, quick recovery.