The Defence Headquarters in Nigeria has issued a stern warning to the organizers of the upcoming nationwide protest against economic hardship, emphasizing that any form of violence will not be tolerated. Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, cautioned at a press briefing in Abuja that the military will not allow anarchy to spread in Nigeria, akin to the recent unrest in Kenya.
While acknowledging citizens’ rights to peaceful protests, General Buba stressed, “Citizens 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 revealed that the military has identified plans by certain elements to hijack the protest and turn it violent, targeting innocent Nigerians and their businesses. “The level of violence being envisaged can only be described as a stage for anarchy. The Armed Forces will not stand by and allow anarchy to befall our nation,” General Buba declared.
This warning comes as President Bola Tinubu, governors, and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have urged Nigerians to cancel the planned ‘EndBadGovernance’ protest scheduled for August. The protest, driven by the severe economic hardship stemming from the removal of petrol subsidies and the unification of forex windows, has gained significant traction on social media. Despite its growing support, the organizers remain anonymous.
The police have also issued warnings against violent protests, reinforcing the government’s stance on maintaining peace and order during these turbulent times.
