Buhari must crush EndSARS protests to avoid anarchy — Lai Mohammed

The President Muhammadu Buhari administration is ready to arrest widespread EndSARS protests, information and culture minister Lai Mohammed says.

EndSARS is a decentralised movement of young Nigerians calling for comprehensive police reform. They have been protesting across Nigeria since October 3.

But Mohammed said the protests are now degenerating into anarchy vowing that the Buhari government would not stand by and watch what he said is the breakdown of law and order.

“Peaceful protest is an integral part of democracy and that is why the Federal Government in the last 11 days has treated the protesters in a very civilised manner,” the information minister said.

“But, if you look at what happened to the governor of Osun State, it has gone completely beyond peaceful protest against excesses and abuse of power by the police.

“There is nowhere in the world where a government will fold its arms and allow the country to descend into anarchy.

“We are no longer dealing with EndSARS but a volatile situation that can lead to anarchy if the government does not take some very firm steps to protect the lives and livelihood of innocent Nigerians.

“We have nothing against peaceful protest but there are civilised ways of doing so.

“This is by going to a venue where you are not going to disturb other Nigerians because where your own right stops, other persons’ rights begin.”

Mohammed’s comments came within 24 hours of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo apologising to Nigerians for the government’s failure to address the grievances against police brutality on time.