A civil society and human rights organization, Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD), has condemned in strong terms the wanton destruction and looting of public properties in Aba, the commercial city of Abia State in which the #ENDSARS protest turned bloody after been hijacked by hoodlums.

The group said on Thursday in a statement signed by signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, that adopting violence to ventilate grievance is a mark of weakness

“We at FENRAD are highly disturbed over incidences of destruction and vandalisation of public and private establishments in the last few days in Aba and its Environs.

“We condemn this turn of events in the #ENDSARS protest and appeal to the criminal elements that have added this narrative to desist as this will only complicate the already existing negative economic situation in the country.

“We are strongly of the opinion that violence cannot achieve any results expected to derive from ongoing agitations.

“We are most worried the agitations have gone out of hand in Abia State, especially Aba, the commercial hub of the state.

“It is worrisome that residents are now living in apprehension and can no longer go about their legitimate business to earn a living.

“We call on the perpetrators to withdraw their actions and allow peace, law and order to return to the state.

“FENRAD isn’t support of the shooting of unarmed citizens and wasting of Human lives but we condemn the Act of violence and Destruction of public properties.”

The group also made an appealed that the protesting parties should cease further actions and allow Abia Government time to develop appropriate responses to the demands made.

It called on Abia State Government to deploy legitimate means within its powers to arrest further destruction of public and private establishments within the state, stop harassment and intimidation of innocent citizens in the state by criminal elements.

“We also appeal for expedited action on the apprehension and prosecution of the perpetrators of these dastardly acts to serve as deterrent to others. Government cannot fold it's arms and watch the state slip to anarchy.

“Peace is priceless and we think it is the Right way to go,” FENRAD said.

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