The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has stated that it will not tolerate anarchy disguised as a nationwide protest.
During a press conference on Thursday, Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, stated that the “contemporary context” of the proposed protest in Nigeria is to “mirror what is happening in Kenya”.
Buba acknowledged that while citizens have the right to peaceful protests as enshrined in the constitution, they do not have the “right to mobilise for anarchy and unleash terror”.
The defence spokesperson revealed that the military has “uncovered” plans by certain “unscrupulous elements” to hijack the protest and incite violence.
“I must say that the contemporary context of this planned protest is to shadow what is happening in Kenya. What is occurring in Kenya, in terms of protest, is violent and remains unresolved as we speak,” he said.
“We have already detected some unscrupulous elements intent on hijacking the planned protest with the aim of making it violent. Many are therefore following in ignorance.”
Reports have emerged of a youth-led nationwide protest in response to widespread economic hardship.
The protest is reportedly set to commence on 1st August.
The federal government and President Bola Tinubu have appealed to the protest leaders to call off the demonstration.
The defence spokesperson expressed that the level of violence “being envisaged” during the planned protest can only be described as a “state of anarchy”.
“The armed forces, for their part, will not stand by and allow anarchy to befall our nation. This is because we have seen and witnessed anarchy in countries where we have operated,” he added.
