TheCable

Pope Francis has prayed for an end to violence in Nigeria.

The Pope stated this on Sunday during a devotion held at St Peter’s Square in Vatican City, Rome.

The #EndSARS protests, which started as peaceful demonstrations with the aim of bringing an end to police brutality, was later hijacked by hoodlums who wreaked violence across the country.

Attacks escalated on Wednesday following the shooting of unarmed protesters at Lekki toll gate in Lagos on October 20.

Across Lagos and other states across the country, vehicles, government buildings and private properties were razed and looted.

Pope Francis, who 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.