Security agencies in Nigeria have called for calm and dialogue amidst the nationwide protests which started on August 1, 2024 in some states across the country.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa who made this known in a meeting with Heads of Security Agencies in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, on the latest security developments in the country vowed to defend the Nation’s democracy.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain focused, committed and going to respect human rights, the rights of everyone who is lawfully performing his task or his duty, but we will not relent in pursuing those that will continue the courage subversion, or those ones are into vandalism or destruction of lives and property adding as they want to make that very clear.
“We remain very professional. We have talked to our men outside in the field that they must respect the rights of everyone. We encourage the youths to dialogue to understand that destruction requires more action. Does nobody know the challenges in the country, and these challenges are not only here.”
Violent Protest: Police Arrest 25 Protesters In Kaduna
According to him, every country is facing one challenge or the other, so Nigerians are not isolated adding that “It is important that we speak with the same voice in support of our dear country, Nigeria that whatever that is happening, the solution is a whole to a society solution, and that’s why we preach egocentrism in everything that we do.”
The Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, said “Long before now, troops of the Nigerian Army have been deployed maintaining law and order”.
The Army Chief noted that for the past 5 days, the protest has been taking a different dimension of destroying properties, loss of lives amongst other things.
He warned that the Nigerian Army stands equivocal in defending democracy and that they are not going to shift ground.
“The report received so far will help them to streamline their performance of the troops.”
The Nigerian Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla said that “The Armed Forces of Nigeria are charged with the responsibility of defence of the nation from both internal and external aggression, and protection of the sovereignty of this country
“In addition to that the Armed Forces Act has given several other responsibilities which enable them to provide aid to civil authorities.”
According to him, they have been working assiduously towards addressing the issue of insecurity and in maritime development which has so far been positive.
“The Armed Forces is the power behind ensuring that democracy thrives in Nigeria which they are committed to do because that is their mandate”.
The Nigerian Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar said that “They are aware of some of the challenges and the hardships that the country is going through and Nigerians, the ordinary Nigerians, are going through right now, and we are also fully aware of every Nigerians on social rights to participate in peaceful protest”.
However, looking back at what has happened in the past few days, it is very clear to every peace loving, patriotic Nigeria that these protests are no longer what they were afforded to be. Instead, it’s very clear to all that the protests have been hijacked by criminal relevance and other groups that do not mean well for the country.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun called on Nigerians to be patient with the government as the government is doing a lot to solve the problem.
According to him, we need to go through hard times for prosperity to come to the country.
The IGP noted that a few states in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina and Bauchi state groups of people who started campaigns, subversive campaigns, waving flags of other Countries and openly calling for the military takeover of the government.
“This is not a protest but an offence of treason
“The Nigerian police have arrested a number of them which they will be dealt with accordingly adding they will be given appropriate charge.”
He also warned the youths to desist from accepting foreign flags from agents of destabilization.
Discover more from LN247
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
