By NAN

A pro-democracy group, the Save Nigeria Movement (SNM) has lauded the Federal Government on its efforts to bring secessionists in the country to book.

Mr Solomon Semaka, the Convener of SNM at a news briefing in Abuja on Thursday said the onslaught was in the best interest of the country.

Semaka supported the decision by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to ban rallies in the country, saying the measure was to avert the reoccurrence of the #ENDSARS protests, which led to destruction of property and lives nationwide.

He insisted that the decision by security agents to arrest secessionist agitators such as Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho was in tandem with the dictates of the law.

Semaka expressed surprise that a section of the media went out of its ways to discredit such security operations.

“No responsible citizen or media organ will support violence as a means to an end; reason the security agencies cannot have idly standby and watch them subvert the peace in the country.

“Therefore, the NPF should not be blamed for placing a ban on protests as a proactive measure to prevent similar destructions under the guise of protests.

“The arrest of protesters for flagrantly disobeying its order, especially that some are found to be in possession of incriminating items such as guns and other dangerous weapons should rather be commended and not condemned.

“The claim that security agencies have failed to combat activities of terrorists and bandits operating in the country is too petty an assertion for people to peddle,” he said.

According to him, the fact remains that government and security agencies have continued to confront the menace of banditry and terrorism in the north and nationwide.

He said Igboho’s activities were not guaranteed by the constitution, adding that he serially infringed on the fundamental rights of others.

“For SNM, Igboho’s careless pronouncements led to several ethnic clashes in Oyo State and beyond. Such would have provoked reprisals in parts of the country except for quick interventions of unbiased stakeholders particularly security agencies.

“The fact that security agencies possess the necessary acumen, skills and intelligence capacity to have effectively, efficiently and methodically monitored Igboho’s movements cannot be contested.

”They are doing their constitutional duties and should not be questioned,” Semaka said. (NAN)