JUST IN: DSS warns against nationwide protest

The Department of State Services has warned the organisers of the planned nationwide protests against proceeding with them.

The service said it uncovered a plan by some criminal elements to hijack the protest and cause unrest in the country.

The military and police have also warned against the protest scheduled to be held from August 1 to 10 in response to the economic hardship experienced in the country.

The DSS, in a statement on Thursday by its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, described the motive behind the protest as political.

Afunanya added that the plotters of the protest intended to use the violent outcome of the protest to smear the federal and sub-national governments.

He said, “The DSS has followed the discourse on planned protests in parts of the country in the coming weeks by persons and groups yet to identify themselves in public as leaders of the plot.

“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. It has also identified the reason behind the protest as political.

“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 long-term objective is to achieve regime change, especially at the Centre.

“The Service has also identified, among others, the funding lines, sponsors, and collaborators of the plot. However, it does not think that aggression should be the first line of action in handling the emerging scenario.

“It has instead, variously applied non-kinetic and conflict resolution strategies, including moral suasion, stakeholder engagement, and other multi-track diplomatic shuttles, to dissuade the planners from actualising their undesirable objective.”

Afunanya warned the protesters to eschew any form of anarchy among others in the interest of peace.

He said, “Based on the foregoing, the Service wishes to warn all the protest groups to eschew any form of proposed rage, anarchy, and spoliation. While the different levels of Government have routinely explained their agenda to ameliorate alleged harsh economic conditions, the Service urges the prospective protesters to listen to the voice of reason and good conscience and patiently engage with the authorities in the interest of peace.

“This has become important given that violence begets the destruction of lives and property as well as serves as a distraction to governance. The agitators are encouraged to use ample ways available to them to channel their grievances without resorting to violence.”

He also called on all citizens to turn down the invitation to participate in any form of violence.

Afunanya said, “The Service calls on people of goodwill, leaders of thought, captains of industry, labour unions, student associations, youth leaders, civil society, clergy, NGOs, women’s groups, civil servants, and politicians to shun any invitation to participate in any orchestrated violence, deliberately designed to cause disaffection in the country.

“Similarly, parents, guardians, and heads of traditional and academic institutions are urged to advise their children, wards, subjects, and students not to take part in the planned protest. Let us all join hands to build a nation without rancour, bitterness, or stained banners.

“The Service will work with other sister security and law enforcement agencies to maintain peace. It will, where necessary, apply all legitimate methods to achieve this.”