- The military said it may have to step in to restore peace and order if the protest continues
The Nigerian military has reacted to the nationwide protest calling for an end to bad governance and hardship in the country.
The military said it may have to step in to restore peace and order if the protest continues.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, made this known while speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday.
Nigerians in their thousands took to the streets across the country from Thursday, August 1 to express their dissatisfaction with the state of the nation especially as it regards food inflation and high cost of living.
However, while the protest have been peaceful and well-coordinated in many places, pocket of violence and upheaval have been recorded in other states as hoodlums use the opportunity to loot and destroy properties.
Speaking on the development, Musa said the military was supporting the police who he said were doing well in handling the situation.
He, however, said the military would take over from the police if the situation becomes too difficult and overwhelming for them to contain.
Musa said, “We are supporting the Police all through. We are just on standby. The Police is doing a good job; they are handling the situation for now.
“Unless it breaches beyond what they can handle, then the military will step in.
“The military is on standby and we are watching day and night.”