TheHuman Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the recent looting of assets of government and individuals in parts of the country.
This is as the rights group has made case for the economic and political empowerment of Nigerian youths as strategic nation building partners.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, HURIWA national coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, said: “We are here to strongly condemn the widespread and incessant looting, organised and highly orchestrated arson and attacks by some misguided societal elements masquerading as youths searching for COVID-19 hoarded palliatives to loot NYSC camps and other strategic national and private assets of Nigeria and Nigerians.
“These brazen acts of criminality in the case of the targeting of NYSC’s facilities which constitutes gross national sabotage demanding the stiffest judicial sanctions for offenders have come with many revelations that government needs to investigate within the shortest possible timeframe to save Nigeria.
“The protests should teach the political leaders of Nigeria that the sovereign and territorial integrity of Nigeria is endangered if the youths are economically deprived and not carried along as strategic nation building partners with the relevant government agencies.
“We have neglected the youths at federal and state levels for long. Now is the time to revitalise and fund the youth sector including constant sporting engagement for young Nigerians on state by state, local government by local government basis.”
The national coordinator noted that the Ministry of Youth has a competent minister, who is willing to work, and made case for the ministry to be empowered to implement development programmes to engage young Nigerians.
Onwubiko said, “The attacks targeting NYSC, Minister of FCT and assets of certain individuals, especially in cross River state, must not be swept behind the carpet.
“Government needs to investigate the intelligence that a certain senator funded the armed hoodlums to attack peaceful protesters which must have aggravated the scenarios and led to many deaths.”
