The Nigerian military has warned organizers of the planned nationwide protest over economic hardship in the country against any form of violence.
The Director of Defense Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, gave the warning on Thursday while briefing newsmen in Abuja. Buba said the military won’t allow anarchy to befall Nigeria.
He hinted that the organizers of the planned protest intend to replicate the recent protest-turned-anarchy demonstration in the East African country of Kenya.
General Buba said although citizens have a right to voice their grievances, the military won’t condone any form of violent gatherings or protests.
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He 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.
“While citizens have the right to peaceful protest, they do not have the right to mobilize for anarchy and unleash terror.
“It is easy to see that the contemporary context of the planned protest is to shadow the outrage in Kenya, which, I must say, is violent and remains unresolved,” he said.
“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 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.
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He said some people fantasize about war, thinking that it is like seeing movies, but can’t fathom the destruction that comes with war.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, governors, and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have appealed to Nigerians to shelve the planned ‘EndBadGovernance’ protest slated for next month.
The protest against economic hardship, which is gaining traction on social media, has been scheduled to be held across all states of the Federation as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, in August. The organizers of the protest have been faceless.