The Nigerian military has issued a strong warning regarding the upcoming nationwide protest against economic hardship. Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, expressed concerns that some elements are planning to hijack the protest and turn it into a violent event. This potential for violence could harm innocent Nigerians and their businesses.
General Buba cautioned that while citizens have the right to peaceful protest, the military will not tolerate any form of violence or anarchy. He compared the potential situation to recent violent protests in Kenya, emphasizing that the military will not allow such chaos to unfold in Nigeria. The General also highlighted the severe consequences of war and anarchy, drawing from the military’s experiences in peacekeeping missions.
In response to the planned protests, President Bola Tinubu, state governors, and the APC have urged Nigerians to reconsider participating. The protest, dubbed ‘EndBadGovernance,’ is scheduled to take place across Nigeria and the FCT in August, and is driven by widespread discontent over economic issues such as the removal of the petrol subsidy and unification of forex windows, which have led to soaring prices of essential goods.