The Department of State Services (DSS) has warned against the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1, 2024. According to Dr. Peter Afunanya, Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, the DSS has identified the protest’s sponsors and strongly advises against proceeding with the event, highlighting potential national security risks.
The DSS has gathered intelligence indicating that the protest could be hijacked by malicious elements intending to incite chaos and extreme violence, potentially leading to an attempt at regime change. “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,” the statement read.
The agency believes the protest has political motives designed to discredit the federal and sub-national governments, making them appear unpopular and pitting them against the masses. “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 statement continued.
The DSS has identified the funding lines, sponsors, and collaborators of the protest. However, instead of resorting to aggression, the agency has opted for conflict resolution strategies, including moral suasion and stakeholder engagement, to deter the protest’s planners.
The statement urges prospective protesters to engage with authorities peacefully and constructively rather than resorting to violence. “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.”
Finally, the DSS calls on various societal leaders and groups to avoid participating in any activities designed to incite violence and disaffection in the country.
