Protest: We’re after those behind call for unlawful change of govt – CDS, Musa

The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Musa, has said the military and security agencies are after those behind the call for undemocratic change of government in Nigeria.

Musa said this on Tuesday during a combined news conference by the heads of security agencies and Service Chiefs at the Defense Headquarters.

He said the military found that some protesters calling for regime changes were sponsored, adding that the military and other security agencies were trailing the unpatriotic sponsors to bring them to book.

“I want to appreciate Nigerians for their understanding, for their commitment to upholding the law and order.

“We have had issues in the past few days, but you can see that people have seen reason for us not to continue with the destruction, to stop the looting, to stop giving opportunities for others to subvert our nation and to destroy our nation.

“They have also seen reasons to join hands together with the security forces to make Nigeria better.

“We want to assure them that we are fully committed to Nigeria, we love the country, we are mindful of the fact that we have been equipped and so we are duty bound to protect the country.

“We are only after those that are against the states, not those that are innocent.

“So I want to make that very clear and we will continue to work together as a team to support Mr President in achieving his mandate of peace and tranquility in our dear country Nigeria,” he said.

The CDS called for the collaboration of all other agencies to ensure that they achieved success and appealed for calm, mediation, discussion, dialogue towards national unity and cohesion as one great country.

He said the Nigerian military was people centric in all its activities, adding they were not interested in anybody being killed or injured or being prosecuted, except those that have crossed the line.

He said the joint news conference was an opportunity to show that the military and all the security agencies were working as a team in line with the mandate of the president.

“So this morning we’re here to give you some brief on the issue on ground, what we are doing, and then to have interactions with members of the Media,” he added.