By Tayo Alabi
Northern Elders Forum has urged the anti-SARS protesters to end their protests on the streets.
The Northern elders expressed the fear that other interests have taken over the agitation, adding that this could compound collective security and put innocent lives in danger.
Specifically, they also asked the President and 36 states governors to take steps to lower tensions and engage youths in order to give them assurances that their cause was not lost.
NEF made this known in a press statement issued Monday night in Abuja by Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, its Director of Publicity and Advocacy.
The statement reads: “Northern Elders Forum has closely followed the protests which began as response to prolonged and widespread abuse by Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and related issues on the need for higher levels of accountability by leaders and state institutions.
“The Forum had released a Statement a week ago in which it drew attention to the fact that there were genuine grounds for anger at accumulated grievances around the security and welfare of Nigerians, especially in the North.
“We had advised that governments must embark on far-reaching changes and reforms, and introduce policies that should improve security and economic well-being of Nigerians.
“These protests have registered tremendous success, including acceptance of responsibility for the federal government to abolish SARS and undertake further action towards improving accountability of operatives and institutions.
“It was particularly noteworthy that young Nigerians led these protests in its early stages, and the Forum acknowledges the heroism of these young people who stood up to say, enough!
“We have also noted that tragically, some people have lost their lives in these protests.
“Unfortunately it now appears that other interests have taken over these protests and are compounding our collective security.
“Like most Nigerians, the Forum is alarmed at criminal acts such as attacks on specific persons, emptying prisons, molesting innocent citizens and attacking policemen.
“We are very concerned that these acts of criminality suggest that other interests with criminal intent or subversive goals have taken over these protests.
“If these acts continue, as they will unless we bring these protests come to an immediate end, every law-abiding citizen, including protesters who are pursuing legitimate goals, are in danger’ the statement read in part.
