A growing wave of opposition is sweeping across Nigeria as citizens from all walks of life voice their concerns against the planned protests scheduled for August 1, 2024. The protests, touted as a nationwide demonstration against hunger and hardship, have raised suspicions over the organizers’ true intentions.
Intelligence reports suggest that subversive international elements and their local collaborators plan to exploit the protests to unleash mayhem in strategic locations, posing a significant threat to national security. In response, the Defence Headquarters has issued a stern warning to the organizers, urging them to reconsider their plans and engage in dialogue instead.
Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa appealed for calm, cautioning that protests may be hijacked by hoodlums, resulting in collateral damage that the nation cannot afford. International warnings have also been issued, with the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada advising their citizens in Nigeria to exercise caution due to heightened plans to cause harm to law-abiding citizens.
As the planned protests approach, Nigerians are uniting in their opposition, calling for dialogue and peaceful resolution instead of chaos and destruction. The commercialization of the protest, with branded T-shirts being sold for 10,000 Naira, has raised further questions about the organizers’ true intentions.
In a related development, the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has estimated that Nigeria may lose a staggering N400 billion daily due to the planned nationwide protests. Muda Yusuf, CEO of CPPE, cautioned that the protests pose grave dangers to the already fragile economy, with severe consequences for the country and its citizens.
The potential economic impact is far-reaching, with high risks of shutdowns and disruptions in key sectors such as trade, commerce, manufacturing, and financial services. With over 90% of employed Nigerians in the informal sector, any disruption to their daily income could lead to major social unrest.
In response to the growing tensions, security in the FCT and environs has been heightened, with elements of the Guards Brigade stepping up patrols in flashpoints to forestall any eventuality. An officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed that they have specific orders to guard against unprofessional acts while protecting law-abiding citizens.