Defence Headquarters, on Thursday, read the riot act to those mobilising for a nationwide protest, warning that while it is their right to protest, it will not condone violence and anarchy.
Some Nigerians under the #EndBadGovernance have been mobilising for nationwide protest Schroeder for August 1 to 10, 2024.
Organisers of the protest have continued to lament widespread hunger and inflation in the land.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, who addressed a press conference in Abuja, said the military won’t allow anarchy to be unleashed on Nigeria.
Buba added that the military has uncovered plots by unscrupulous elements to hijack the protest and turn it into a violent one by attacking innocent Nigerians and their businesses.
He said, “While citizens have the right to peaceful protest, they do not have the right to mobilise for anarchy and unleash terror.
“I will say that the contemporary context of this planned protest is to shadow what is happening in Kenya and I will add that what is happening in Kenya in terms of protest, one, it is violence, two, it remains unresolved as we speak.
“The level of violence being envisaged can only be described as a stage for anarchy. The Armed Forces on its part will not stand by and allow anarchy to befall our nation. This is because we have seen wars and have witnessed anarchy in countries with which we have operated, particularly in times of ECOMOG (Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group) and during our peacekeeping operations in various countries.”
Recall that a similar protest in 2020 ended after the military intervened.
Lagos State Government had declared a curfew but protesters refused to leave Lekki Tollgate in Lagos, which was the central coordination unit.
Troops of the Nigerian Army later invaded the tollgate, dispersing them forcefully.
The deaths and injuries recorded during the Lekki Tollgate incident have remained subject of controversy, as the Federal Government and military authorities denied harming the protesters.
