The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria has expressed solidarity with Nigerian youths as they continue to protest against police brutality and bad governance in the country.
PENGASSAN, in a statement by its President, Festus Osifo, said, “These reports show systemic abuse and reflect the fact that significant barriers to accountability exist, and therefore prevent erring officers from facing justice.”
It noted that in the past few weeks, there was the use of excessive force by police officers: including unjustified shootings, severe beating.
The statement said further, “At this time, we remember also the Nigerian people who have been molested, harassed, assaulted, and killed owing to the actions of officers in uniform who swore to protect and serve every Nigerian citizen; their names will not be forgotten, and for the unnamed, we will continue to fight for justice and a better Nigeria for the future generation.”
PENGASSAN pointed out that the #EndSARS protests transcended police brutality, saying “it is a cry for accountability in government and reforms of the political and societal landscape.”
Continuing, it explained, “A Nigeria that works for all its citizens across all verticals of the society, is ‘all’ we seek. We call on the Nigerian government at all levels, to hear the voice of its people, put an end to maladministration, lack of accountability, mismanagement of resources, and police brutality.
“Initiate the much-needed reforms in all sectors of our country; keeping in mind that insecurity of any kind, be it political, economic, or physical, in any place or to anyone is insecurity to and for us all.”
