We Won’t Allow You Destroy This Country, Military Warns Protesters

The Defence Headquarters has warned those mobilising for a nationwide protest that while it is their right to protest, it will not condone anarchy.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, who gave the warning while addressing a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, said the military won’t allow anarchy to befall Nigeria.

Major General Buba added that the military has uncovered plots by unscrupulous elements to hijack the protest and turn it into a violent one by attacking innocent Nigerians and their businesses.

Director of Defence Media Operations  said “While citizens have the right to peaceful protest, they do not have the right to mobilise for anarchy and unleash terror.”

“I will say that the contemporary context of this planned protest is to shadow what is happening in Kenya and I will add that what is happening in Kenya in terms of protest, one, it is violence, two, it remains unresolved as we speak.

“The level of violence being envisaged can only be described as a stage for anarchy. The Armed Forces on its part will not stand by and allow anarchy to befall our nation. This is because we have seen wars and have witnessed anarchy in countries with which we have operated, particularly in times of ECOMOG (Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group) and during our peacekeeping operations in various countries.”

Recall, a similar protest in 2020 ended after military incursion as the Lagos State government declared a curfew but protesters refused to leave Lekki Tollgate in Lagos, which was the central coordination unit.

However, soldiers had invaded the tollgate, dispersing them forcefully and there were reported cases of deaths and injuries, while the Federal Government and military authorities denied harming the protesters.