The Pan Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), has advised members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (Shi’ite) to refrain from violence and killings in its demand for the release of their detained leader, El-zakzaky.
ARG said the alleged attack launched on the nation’s capital by Shi’ite adherents on Monday leading to the death of a top police officer, a journalist and youth corps member, was condemnable and saddening.
The organisation noted with displeasure and deep concern, the daring and confrontational attitude of members of the Islamic Movement in their approach of seeking the release of their leader.
Some Shi’ite members on Tuesday staged a violent protest at the National Assembly against the federal government’s prolonged detention of their leader.
The development led to the death of a Deputy Commissioner of Police, a youth corps member and a journalist with Channels Television while several persons reportedly sustained injuries during the confrontation between the security agencies and the Islamic group.
A statement in Ado Ekiti by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Michael Ogungbemi on Wednesday, said in as much as the protesters have the constitutional rights to peaceful protest, it is also a constitutional obligation and responsibility to do so within the ambit of the law.
The group said: “Regardless of their agitations or grievances, their actions on Monday, July 22, 2019 remained unacceptable, condemnable and unpardonable.
“The ARG hereby passionately appeal to their sponsors to sheathe their sword while the Federal Government finds a lasting solution to their demands.
“We are not oblivious of the incarceration of their leader El-Zakzaky, but their unabated confrontational engagement would only exacerbate the situation.
“As fundamental as their demand may be, the brazen effrontery of the group is capable of throwing the country into a state of anarchy and this is totally unacceptable.
“Nobody, no group or organisation must be allowed to hold the Nation by the jugular”.
ARG appealed to the Federal Government to quickly find a lasting solution to all forms of ethnic, social and religious agitations so as to engender peace, unity and progress in the country.
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