- In a statement released on Thursday by DSS spokesperson Peter Afunanya, the service revealed that it had uncovered plans by certain criminal elements to hijack the protests
The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued a stern warning to the organizers of the planned nationwide protests, advising them to halt their activities.
The protests, scheduled from August 1 to 10, aim to address the economic hardships faced by Nigerians.
In a statement released on Thursday by DSS spokesperson Peter Afunanya, the service revealed that it had uncovered plans by certain criminal elements to hijack the protests and incite unrest across the country. The military and police have also issued warnings against the protests.
Afunanya described the motive behind the protests as political, stating that the plotters intend to use any resulting violence to tarnish the image of both federal and sub-national governments. “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,” he said.
“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,” Afunanya continued. “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 DSS claims to have identified the funding lines, sponsors, and collaborators of the plot, and has opted for non-aggressive strategies such as moral suasion and stakeholder engagement to dissuade the planners.
Afunanya urged the protesters to avoid any form of anarchy, stating, “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.”
He emphasized that violence would only lead to the destruction of lives and property and serve as a distraction to governance. Afunanya also called on citizens to reject any invitations to participate in violent activities.