Garba Shehu, who served as a media aide to the deceased former President Muhammadu Buhari, expressed his views about the EndSARS movement during a television appearance on Tuesday morning. The former presidential spokesman appeared on Arise Television's Morning Show program to discuss various aspects of his late boss's tenure. Shehu argued that Buhari would have supported the demonstration against police brutality had malicious actors not corrupted its original purpose. The late president passed away at age 82 in a London medical facility on Sunday and received burial rites on Tuesday. Shehu emphasized that his principal felt deep concern when peaceful demonstrations transformed into violent confrontations.
The former aide acknowledged legitimate grievances that sparked the nationwide movement while highlighting the government's initial cooperative response. Officials had offered meaningful dialogue with protesters and made significant policy adjustments, such as dissolving the controversial Special Anti-Robbery Squad that triggered public outrage. However, Shehu noted that circumstances changed dramatically when criminal elements exploited the situation for destructive purposes. Law enforcement facilities suffered extensive damage through arson attacks while government properties faced widespread vandalism. Multiple innocent lives were lost during the chaos that engulfed several Nigerian cities.
Shehu maintained that no competent administration could tolerate such lawlessness and destruction of public infrastructure. The former spokesperson stressed that Buhari experienced genuine distress watching police stations burn and witnessing attacks on security personnel. He expressed hope that Nigeria would never again experience similar episodes of civil unrest and violence.
The former aide acknowledged legitimate grievances that sparked the nationwide movement while highlighting the government's initial cooperative response. Officials had offered meaningful dialogue with protesters and made significant policy adjustments, such as dissolving the controversial Special Anti-Robbery Squad that triggered public outrage. However, Shehu noted that circumstances changed dramatically when criminal elements exploited the situation for destructive purposes. Law enforcement facilities suffered extensive damage through arson attacks while government properties faced widespread vandalism. Multiple innocent lives were lost during the chaos that engulfed several Nigerian cities.
Shehu maintained that no competent administration could tolerate such lawlessness and destruction of public infrastructure. The former spokesperson stressed that Buhari experienced genuine distress watching police stations burn and witnessing attacks on security personnel. He expressed hope that Nigeria would never again experience similar episodes of civil unrest and violence.
