The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has issued a stern warning to groups protesting against economic hardship in Nigeria, urging them to avoid actions that could lead to mayhem and destruction.
He emphasized that the Armed Forces and security agencies will not stand by and watch while the country is destabilized.
In a statement yesterday, General Musa said, “Let us avoid anything that will bring mayhem within our communities. We have seen the level of destruction that occurred just on Thursday. You can imagine if this continues for long.”
He noted that while initial demonstrations appeared peaceful, they were quickly hijacked by criminals with malicious intent. General Musa reminded Nigerians that the federal government is working diligently to address the nation’s issues and called for patience and understanding.
He asserted, “The armed forces and the entire security agencies will not stand by and allow that to continue. We want to warn those who are inciting violence: we will take action, and it will be done professionally. Anyone caught will be brought to justice.”
General Musa also praised the professionalism of the Nigerian police and other security forces in handling the situation so far, stating, “The government has shown its commitment to allowing free association, and the security forces have done extremely well. We will continue to act professionally, distinguishing between peaceful protest and criminality.”
He urged citizens to support government efforts to improve the economic and security situation, highlighting recent initiatives aimed at increasing oil production and boosting the economy. “With the support of everyone, we can achieve total peace and economic growth,” he concluded.