The Director of Defence Media Operations enumerated other potential targets to include places of worship, businesses, markets, persons of other ethnic groups, and members of opposing political parties. He said all the threats put together may result in anarchy…”1
By Olawale Lamina
The Nigerian military authorities have reacted to the proposed nationwide protest, warning against possible descent into anarchy and terror following situational analysis conducted by the military high command.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, made the disclosure during media briefing on the the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja.
Maj. Gen Buba informed that the military had thoroughly examined factors, such as whether or not the planned protest was motivated by opposition politics, independent parties, sovereign interference or terrorist groups, amongst others, adding that there were possibilities that other organisations had created the situation by feeding on Nigerians’ frustrations.
Speaking on the role of the military in relation to the anxiety currently generated by the planned 10 days nationwide protest on #EndBadGoveranance or planned Day of Rage, Buba said: “However, for us in the military, the constitution is clear as to how and when the military gets involved.
“The constitution also clearly defines the roles and functions of the armed forces.
“On the other hand, while citizens have a constitutional right to peaceful protest, they do not have a right to mobilise for anarchy in order to unleash terror.
“The contemporary context of the planned protest is to shadow happenings in Kenya which have so far been violent and unresolved to date.
“Given the situation, there are already indicators that unscrupulous elements are bent on hijacking the planned protest for violent purposes,”
He explained further that there were indications of status-related violence such that persons with possessions as basic as smartphones and cars may be likely targets, apart from house owners and shops.
The Director of Defence Media Operations enumerated other potential targets to include places of worship, businesses, markets, persons of other ethnic groups, and members of opposing political parties. He said all the threats put together may result in anarchy.
“It is for this reason the armed forces will not watch and allow the nation spiral out of control to such low levels.
“Basically, the military has been exposed to wars and has witnessed situations of anarchy in countries ravaged by war, particularly during ECOMOG or during peacekeeping operations.
“It is for this reason that troops will act dutifully to forestall such ugly occurrences from happening in our nation,’’ he stated.
Buba cautioned again that, both the timing and harsh economic conditions of the nation had made the planned protest different from others in the past.
He appealed to all and sundry, saying, “It is time to let cool heads prevail in order for the government to further remedy the situation and make our nation flourish again.’’
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