THE Presidency on Wednesday appealed to Nigerians to show understanding with the present regime and remain calm while it tries to implement police reforms .
The call was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity , Femi Adesina , titled , ‘President Buhari welcomes establishment of judicial panels of inquiry by 13 states to deliver justice for victims of police brutality.”
The call for calm came few hours after armed soldiers reportedly opened fire on protesting youths at Lekki toll gate in Lagos State .
Reeling out the steps he claimed have so far been taken to address the demands of the protesters , Adesina wrote , “ The Presidency appeals for understanding and calm across the nation, as the implementation of the reforms gathers pace at federal and state levels .
“ The Presidency wishes to reiterate the full commitment of the Buhari administration to the implementation of lasting police reforms in Nigeria .”
The President ’ s spokesman claimed that at the last count , no fewer than 13 states had established judicial panels of inquiry as resolved by the National Economic Council to address the question of redress and justice for victims of police brutality across the country .
He listed the states that had done so as Lagos, Kaduna , Delta , Ekiti , Ogun , Anambra , Enugu , Imo , Plateau , Edo , Nasarawa , Ondo and Akwa Ibom.
The statement added , “ President Muhammadu Buhari welcomes the promptness of these necessary sub – national actions , and reaffirms his commitment to supporting the state governments to ensure that justice is achieved for all victims of police brutality in Nigeria .”