The leadership of the Network of Civil Society Organizations (NECSOB), Borno State has expressed concern over the unfolding situation surrounding the protests in the state.
The Executive Director of NECSOB, Comrade Bulama Abiso, stated this in a statement issued on Friday, and made available to newsmen in Maiduguri.
“While acknowledging the right of citizens to peaceful protest, we also recognize that this right is not absolute, as it confers on every citizen the responsibility to respect the rights of others.”
“Sadly, we have received information from across the state on the number of deaths since the commencement of this protest, and they are alarming and unacceptable”, Abiso said.
He added that: “Citizens should as a matter of urgency remain law abiding and desist from causing mayhem, fish out hoodlums who are out to take advantage of this protest and report them to the appropriate authorities.
“We also caution that citizens should comply with the statewide curfew imposed by the authorities in efforts to restore law and order.
“It’s also pertinent that the security operative should operate with decorum and according to the dictates of the laws, resorting to threat, intimidation, cajoling and use of force may cause more. harm than good.
“We are also calling on the authorities to investigate the destruction of properties, rampant killings and shootings recorded within the span of a few hours following the commencement of the protest.
“Finally, NECSOB is calling on all stakeholders to eschew dialogue and call for calmness so as to avert further loss of lives and properties.
“The state is ours and is our responsibility to protect it. The state is ours and it’s our responsibility to build and protect it,” the statement added.