Protest Alert: Military Issues Warning To Protesters To Avoid Violence

Protest Alert: Military Issues Warning To Protesters To Avoid Violence

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has warned protesters to conduct their protest in a peaceful manner and desist from destroying property.

The military high command said troops are on standby to restore law and order whenever it is called upon by highest authority.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, who issued the warning on Friday, August 2, during a press briefing at the Defence Headquarters said the security agencies, especially the Police, have shown some form of professionalism in handling the protesters.

He said: “We have been very professional in our conduct, and we will continue to do that, as long as the citizens also understand that there is a difference between peaceful protest and criminality. What we saw on Wednesday at the beginning was a semblance of peaceful demonstration, but which was quickly taken over by the bunch of criminals that do not mean well.

“You remember we had warned that there are individuals ready to cause mayhem once this protest starts… On Wednesday alone, we all saw the level of destruction that took place. You can imagine if this continues for so long.

“The armed forces and the entire security agencies will not stand by and watch that to continue. I want to warn those miscreants and those that don’t want to listen that we will not fold our arms and see our nation continue to be destroyed. We will take action professionally. Anyone that is caught, will be taken to court and will be dealt with.”

Gen. Musa appealed to Nigerians, especially the youths, not to allow “criminals and individuals that have lost out” to take advantage of the protest to destroy the country. He also appealed to give the government time for its policies to begin to yield positive results.

He said: “The present administration is just there for one year, and it is not possible for them to have solved every financial, economic and security situation within one year. But if we are truthful to ourselves, efforts have been made to address the economic and security situations. Things are improving. We are not where we are but I can assure you we are heading there. And if we have the support of everyone, together we can bring total peace and the economy will pick up.

“Just a few days ago I was in the Niger-Delta region to also ensure that our oil production increases immediately so that we can have enough funds. So we want to call on all Nigerians to understand the government. If you have grievances, which I know people have…there are a lot of challenges here and theresaid and I know it is not only in Nigeria. Everywhere in the world is facing one economic or security challenge or the other. So, it is important that we know that we are not alone. But what we can do is not to allow criminals and individuals that have lost out to take advantage of this protest to destroy our country.”

The defence chief also appealed to the media not to give undeserved coverage to some of the protesters, as such had encouraged them to cause more havoc.

“I saw all the media hooked up for the coverage. This is not an election thing. Don’t give them that coverage, because they are looking for opportunities to be on the screen,” he said.