HASG condemns violent attacks on unarmed Nigerian protesters
Heads of Advertising Sectoral Groups (HASG), the joint body of professionals across advertising, media independent, out-of-home, and experiential marketing as represented by the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria (EXMAN), Media Independent Association of Nigeria (MIPAN), Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) and the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) has called on the government to desist from attacking unarmed Nigerians expressing their civic rights of protests.
The group, in a statement, said: “We have watched with concern, multiple violent attacks across the country, as young Nigerians trooped out peacefully to protest police brutality. Yesterday, across different parts of the country, we observed with shock, reported cases of military force against protesters in Lagos and other parts of the country.
“We condemn, in every way possible, police brutality, citizen harassment, and the use of force by the army on innocent, unarmed citizens who are exercising their constitutionally-guaranteed rights to peaceful gathering and protest.
“Our prayers, and sympathy goes out to every Nigerian affected directly, or indirectly, and we commiserate with families who have lost loved ones to this avoidable violence.”
Describing the attack as a breach of the fundamental rights of Nigerians, the group said the incident has brought yet another layer of stain on the country’s reputation, threatening to destroy years of hard work by government, corporate organisations, sports men, and the creative/media/marketing industry in showing the world the great, beautiful nation that is Nigeria.
“It is not too late to arrest this situation and turn it positively to get the country back on track. We as a group will be happy to work voluntarily with all parties in developing the right peopled-centred strategy for the short and long term interests of our dear nation,” the group concluded.
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