By IGONIKO ODUMA, Yenagoa

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has blamed the wanton destruction of public and private property in some states of Nigeria on the inexplicable delay by President Muhammadu Buhari to placate the protesting youths with a fatherly disposition over their legitimate demonstrations.

PANDEF in a statement at the weekend by its National Publicly Secretary, Ken Robinson, said the ugly situation would have been averted if Buhari did not rather choose to send armed soldiers, policemen and hired thugs to quell the peaceful #EndSARS protests.

The statement was titled, ‘PANDEF calls for end to wanton destruction of public and private property in states.’

It said, “President Muhammadu Buhari should have quickly addressed the young people with a fatherly countenance to assuage their justified anger, instead of the option of deploying the military, police and hired thugs to attack and assault the peaceful protesters, which aggravated the situation.

“Now, what do we have? Untold destruction of lives and property of innocent citizens.”

PANDEF expressed shock at the level of destruction of public and private property, especially in the southern part of the country by those it termed “misguided and unscrupulous individuals.”

It stated that it could not comprehend the motives for the magnitude of carnage, describing it as “senseless, horrible, and highly condemnable.”

It added: “PANDEF also finds it difficult to fathom the intent for the aloofness of the police and other security agents in most cases, while the barbaric acts are being perpetrated.

“PANDEF is further disturbed at the unfortunate situations whereby foodstuffs meant to be distributed to vulnerable citizens as COVID-19 palliatives, remain stocked in warehouses, and are now being discovered and looted in some states.”

The forum insisted that the reasons put forward by officials of government why the items were still kept in warehouses while many Nigerians languished in hunger, were untenable and ridiculous. (Daily Independent)