President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to protesting youths across the country to abandon the protest and engage in constructive dialogue.
He assured the youth that their demands have been heard “loud and clear” and that the Federal Government was responding to them.
He mentioned some empowerment measures his administration has reeled out and urged the youth to key into these measures to better their standard of living. Some of these measures include the Trader Moni, N-Power, Market Moni, among others.
He added that the government has disbanded SARS (Special Anti-Robbery Squad) as part of a more comprehensive police reforms, but gave no details of the impending reforms.
Nigerian Youths have for some two weeks running, trooped to the streets across the country demanding an end to police brutality and enthronement of good governance.
Some of the youths were murdered by security operatives who wore military camouflage on Tuesday night at Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos, and opened fire on the unarmed protesters.
Britain, United States, Th Commonwealth and United Nations, among others have condemned the shooting, and demanded that the perpetrators should be brought to book.
However, the Nigerian Army has denied involvement in the shooting.
President Buhari made no reference to the shooting and subsequent loss of lives in his nationwide television address on Thursday evening.
He nonetheless, sympathized with the families of police men who lost their lives during the protests.
The President acknowledged that citizens have the right to protest, but cautioned that the government also has the right to protect lives and property.
He thanked some members of the international community for their concern on the Nigerian crisis, but remarked that they should seek out all the facts before making pronouncements on the issue.
Following the shooting of protesters, violence escalated in various parts of the country on Wednesday leading to burning of many public and private properties by unidentified persons.