*Cautions youths against violence

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Saturday, poured encomiums of Governor Udom Emmanuel for reacting swiftly to the violent conduct of hoodlums who used the cover of #EndSARS protests to destroy and loot properties in Akwa Ibom State.

The president said the curfew ordered by the governor will help stem the violence.

Speaking in Uyo through the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio and the Senior Special Assistant on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang, the president condemned the spate of violence and promised that his administration will not tolerate any form of lawlessness in any part of the country.

“The president had directed all federal government appointees to go their states, meet with their stakeholders and try to establish peace in the country. So, on behalf of the president, I lead this delegation. We are here to deliver the president’s message to the state,” Akpabio said while explaining the purpose of the visit.

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“We have to commend the proactive steps taken by the state government to guarantee safety of the people.
The federal government is serious about addressing the demands of the youths.
Those who turned the protests into anarchy and criminality should henceforth desist,” he noted.

The minister applauded governors for setting up Commissions of Inquiry in the wake of the violence.

He assured Akwa Ibom people and Niger Deltans of the federal government’s commitment to boosting their welfare through job creation, developmental projects, quality healthcare delivery, education and other areas.

Also speaking, SSA to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang, also applauded “Governor Udom Emmanuel for the steps he took in declaring curfew, because the protests and protestations were peaceful and going on well, and they were delivering intellectual and reasonable messages to the federal government and state government, suddenly it went overboard and people started looting properties.”

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“The governor was right was right as the Chief Security Officer of the state, working with security institutions of the federal government, he declared the curfew,” Enang maintained.

The senior presidential aide cautioned youths to desist from perpetrating further acts of violence.

He revealed that the presidential delegation has assessed the level of destruction of properties in the state.
“It is a sorry sight, we condemn the destruction. Those private investments are where our children are working.”

Enang said the federal government will continue partnering with respective states to ensure that victims are compensated and perpetrators brought to book.

The Federal Commissioner in the Federal Character Commission, Mrs. Dorathy Ebong and the Executive Director of Finance and Administration in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Effiong Akwa, were among the federal government appointees who graced the event.

(C) Ofonime Honesty