BY EZEOCHA NZEH
Nigeria’s security agencies on Thursday, raised the alarm what they said could be the major targets and consequences of the planned August 1, 2024, nationwide “EndBadGovernance” protest against the lingering hardship in the country
This is even as the Department of State Services has warned that Nigerians and youths should desist from participating in any protest that could lead to violent activities in the country
The agency which revealed in a statement that it had identified the sponsors and fund lines of the planned protest, warned the organizers not to proceed with their plan as it is not in Nigeria’s interest.
DSS Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Peter Afunanya, in the statement, said that the agency had intelligence that the planned protest would be hijacked by hoodlums to cause chaos and extreme violence in the country.
The statement, which further alleged that the goal of the planners is to cause regime change, especially at the centre, reads: “The DSS has followed the discourse on planned protests in parts of the country in the coming weeks by persons and groups yet to identify themselves in the public as leaders of the plot. “While peaceful protest is a democratic right of citizens, the Service has confirmed a sinister plan by some elements to infiltrate the protest and use it to cause chaos and extreme violence in the land. It has also identified the reason behind the protest to be political.
“The plotters desire to use the intended violent outcome to smear the federal and sub-national governments; make them unpopular and pit them against the masses. The long term objective is to achieve a regime change especially at the Centre.
“The Service has also identified, among others, the funding lines, sponsors and collaborators of the plot. “However, it does not think that aggression should be the first line action in the instance, in handling the emerging scenario. It has instead, variously applied non kinetic and conflict resolution strategies, including moral suasion, stakeholder engagement and other multi-track diplomatic shuttles, to dissuade the planners from actualising their undesirable objective.
“Based on the foregoing, the Service wishes to warn all the protest groups to eschew any form of proposed rage, anarchy and spoliation.
“While the different levels of Government have routinely explained their agenda to ameliorate alleged harsh economic conditions, the Service urges the prospective protesters to listen to the voice of reason, good conscience and patiently engage with the authorities, in the interest of peace.
“This has become important given that violence begets destruction of lives and property as well as serve as a distraction to governance. “The agitators are encouraged to use ample ways available to them to channel their grievances without resorting to violence.
“The Service calls on people of goodwill, leaders of thought, captains of industry, labour unions, student associations, youth leaders, the civil society, clergy, NGOs, women groups, civil Servants and politicians to shun any invitation to participate in any orchestrated violence, deliberately designed to cause disaffection in the country.
“Similarly, parents, guardians, heads of traditional and academic institutions are respectively urged to advise their children, wards, subjects and students not to take part in the planned protest. Let us all join hands to build a Nation without rancour, bitterness or stained banner.
“The Service will work with other sister security and law enforcement agencies to maintain peace. It will, where necessary, apply all legitimate methods to achieve this,” the DSS said
Raising a similar alarm, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), warned that the planned protest has the potential of degenerating into anarchy and a reign of terror
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, who briefed journalists on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja, said situational analysis by the military high command has shown that the plannd protest has the potentials of degenerating into a state of anarchy idf not properly handled
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, said this while briefing journalists on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja.
The military spokesperson, who identified worship centers, markets, persons of divers ethnic groups, and members of opposition political parties as potential targets, said the military had thoroughly examined several factors, such as whether or not the planned protest was motivated by opposition politics, independent parties, sovereign interference or terrorist groups, amongst others,
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“He said, “for us in the military, the constitution is clear as to how and when the military gets involved.
“The constitution also clearly defines the roles and functions of the armed forces.
“On the other hand, while citizens have a constitutional right to peaceful protest, they do not have a right to mobilise for anarchy in order to unleash terror.
“The contemporary context of the planned protest is to shadow happenings in Kenya which have so far been violent and unresolved to date.
“Given the situation, there are already indicators that unscrupulous elements are bent on hijacking the planned protest for violent purposes,’’ he said…
“It is for this reason the armed forces will not watch and allow the nation spiral out of control to such low levels.
“Basically, the military has been exposed to wars and has witnessed situations of anarchy in countries ravaged by war, particularly during ECOMOG or during peacekeeping operations.
“It is for this reason that troops will act dutifully to forestall such ugly occurrences from happening in our nation,’’ he added.
“It is time to let cool heads prevail in order for the government to further remedy the situation and make our nation flourish again,’’ he said.