A group under the aegis, Northern Youth Progressive Network has urged President Bola Tinubu and state governments to address the pressing demands of angry Nigerians as the ongoing protest turns violent in some states.
A statement signed by the convener of the group, Comr. Bala Mohammed on Friday in Abuja, raised concerns over the avoidable deaths and wanton destruction going on in some northern states as a result of the protest over hunger and hardship in the country.
He said: “Report reaching us indicates that the protest has suddenly turned violent with large destruction and vandalization of public infrastructures across some Northern cities of Kano, Kaduna and parts of FCT while Adamawa, Sokoto, Katsina and Nasarawa have witnessed peaceful procession so far.
“We want to acknowledge that Violent protest which often leads to breakdown of law and order cannot be the solution to the current predicaments confronting the nation, rather dialogue should be explored as the essential tool to draw Government attention to our plights.
“If we burn down the nation because we are hungry, there may not be any nation for us to pursue legitimate means of feeding ourselves after the damage may have been caused by anger.
“We call for restraint among our youths in order to allow the Government to address the issues already expressed through our actions to prevent the situation from degenerating into anarchy.
“We equally urge the Federal and various state Governments to quickly intervene so as to halt the carnage in many Northern States and as well address some of the pressing demands of the protesters to restore order to the Nation.
“We appreciate the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for rolling out several measures to contain the prevailing economic hardship which are not peculiar to Nigeria, but we call for speedy implementation of such policies to cushion the hardship on vulnerable people who are easily being used by evil forces to destabilize the nation.
“What peace cannot achieve, violence cannot give either, let us give peace a chance.”
