Catholic’s leader, Pope Francis has prayed for an end to violence in Nigeria amid #EndSARS crisis.
This prayer was rendered by the Pope on Sunday during a devotion held at St Peter’s Square in Vatican City, Rome.
Recall that the #EndSARS protests started as peaceful demonstrations with the sole aim and purpose of bringing an end to police brutality but was hijacked by hoodlums who destroyed properties and caused violence across the country.
The attacks were little when compared to the ones which happened on Wednesday barely 6 hours after the shooting of unarmed protesters at Lekki toll gate in Lagos on October 20.
Besides the looting spree recorded, government buildings and private properties were razed by hoodlums across major cities and some states across the country.
Reacting to the ugly and tragic incident, Pope Francis noted that he had been following the protests, prayed that the country would experience peace.
“I follow with particular concern the news coming from Nigeria about the recent violent clashes between law enforcement agencies and some young protesters,” he said.
“Let us pray to the Lord so that any form of violence might be avoided, in the constant search for social harmony in the promotion of justice and the common good.”
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday, during a virtual meeting with former leaders and security chiefs, said 69 people had been killed since the #EndSARS protests began.
The president gave the breakdown as 51 civilians, 11 police officers, and seven soldiers.