Adhere to Principles of patriotism- CNG Urges Protestors, security

Members of Zamfara state Coalition of Northern Groups, during press conference in Gusau.

From Ahmed Attahir 

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) Zamfara state has called on all protestors, community leaders,and security forces to adhere to principles of patriotism and respect for the rule of law. 

The CNG have also said citizens must all recognise that the strength of their state lies in their unity and ability to address  grievances through peaceful means.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday evening in Gusau,the zamfara state coordinator CNG comrade Hassan Husaini disclosed that Over the past few days, the CNG has been monitoring development across the 19 northern states in respect of the national peaceful protest.

"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". 

He said the last three days of the protest in zamfara state were peaceful, devoid of harassment, and maltreatment of protesters by security agents deployed to ensure their safety and prevent the infiltration of criminal elements. 

"However, on Monday, August 5, 2024, the protest took on a different dimension. We noticed the infiltration of criminal elements who manipulate the protesters (mostly underage) and trigger violence".

The criminal elements succeeded in hijacking the peaceful protest and subsequently making it violent, many protesters sustained serious injuries; public and private properties were destroyed; businesses, public offices, and schools were shut down. 

"However, as tensions rise between the protesters and security agents and hoodlums who hijack the peaceful protest for personnel gains, the CNG feels that it is essential to issue this press statement, clarify issues as they unfold, and call for calm and restraint".

"In light of this, we urgently appeal to all parties involved to exercise restraint and engage in peaceful dialogue and constructive engagement to air their grievances".

"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". 

According to the group,allowing foreign actors to interfere in domestic protests threatens the sovereignty of our country. 

"Protecting our sovereignty is essential to maintaining national integrity and ensuring that decisions affecting our people are made by our own leaders and institutions".

 He said the CNG also believes that the involvement of foreign agents can escalate tensions, leading to increased violence and instability, particularly in Zamfara State.

"The CNG appeals to all stakeholders to remain vigilant against the infiltration of foreign actors and ensure that the protests reflect the genuine will of our people and are conducted within the framework of the law".

"We also recognise that improving the security and welfare of the northern populace is the responsibility of not just the federal but the respective northern state governments". 

"While we urge the federal government to review its unfriendly economic policies and intensify the war against banditry and other forms of insecurity across the north, we call on the northern state governments to, as a matter of urgency, respond to the yearning and aspirations of the local population by increasing access to quality education, poverty alleviation, subsidise transport, encourage and support our teeming youth to embrace agriculture as a means of livelihood". 

"As we navigate this critical period, we call upon all stakeholders—including protestors, community leaders, and security forces to adhere to principles of patriotism and respect for the rule of law. We must all recognise that the strength of our state lies in our unity and our ability to address our grievances through peaceful means".