Group Set To Protest Across Northern States Over Killings

A northern group identified as the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has unveiled its plan to stage protests across all the northern states, Legit reports.
The goal of the protest, according to the CNG, is to draw the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari and all concerned state governors to the incessant killings in the north.
Nigerian Tribune reports that the group made this known in a statement released on Sunday, June 14, by its spokesperson, Abdulazeez Suleiman.
The group said the northern states of Katsina, Borno, Taraba, Sokoto, Kaduna, Zamfara and others have in the last three weeks witnessed a rise in the spate of violence and bloodshed.
It noted that the killings have continued unabated despite the promise of the government that it is on top of the situation.
The protest, according to the CNG, will start on Tuesday, June 16, in Katsina state which it described as the epicentre of the killings.
The protest will be carried out simultaneously in other states on Saturday, June 20, the group added.
To ensure the protest is not hijacked by hoodlums, protesters are asked to use a blue cloth wristbands. They are also to wear facemasks due to the ravaging coronavirus disease.
The statement called on citizens of a state who feel obliged to voluntarily stick green leaves on their vehicles or places of business in solidarity as they go about their peaceful normal routines.
Protesters are also urged to conduct themselves in a peaceful and responsible manner while the security agents are urged to respect the constitutional rights of citizens to express their opinions peacefully.
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that President Buhari blamed the recent killings in Borno and Katsina states on the current coronavirus lockdown across the country.
The Nigerian leader made this assertion during his national broadcast on Friday, June 12 on the occasion of Nigeria’s 21st anniversary of a return to civilian rule.
The president, who expressed regret at the attacks, described the loss of several lives in the attacks as tragic.
He also assured that the security agencies will bring the attackers to justice.
However, a popular political activist and former lawmaker, Shehu Sani, faulted the president’s claim that bandits and insurgents were taking advantage of the COVID-19 restrictions to attack people.
He said the recent killings in parts of the north were due to evident government failures.