Nationwide Protest: Military Vow To Take Action

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Christopher Musa has announced that the military will intervene if the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests continue to turn violent.

Musa’s statement comes after reports of widespread vandalism and looting during the protests on Thursday, particularly in Kano, where protesters looted and set parts of the newly built Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) Industrial Park on fire. The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) center was scheduled for commissioning next week.

During a briefing on Friday, Musa urged protesters to understand that destruction is counterproductive and hinders national progress. He commended the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for their efforts to maintain order but warned that the military would step in if violence persists.

“We must realize that these destructions divert funds needed for development. We should work together to prevent further damage. The government at all levels has received the message. We will not stand by and watch our country be destroyed. Our response will be professional, and those caught will face legal consequences. Let us avoid actions that bring mayhem to our communities,” Musa stated.

He emphasized the significant damage already caused and the need for decisive action to prevent further destruction. The military and other security agencies will not tolerate ongoing violence.

Prior to the protests, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun indicated that the Armed Forces might be called in if the situation escalates. During a Zoom meeting with concerned Nigerians on Tuesday, Egbetokun mentioned that soldiers would monitor public demonstrations if there were indications of a repeat of the 2020 #EndSARS protests.

Egbetokun noted, “Those threatening violence are often faceless, but we have detained some instigators. We arrested one individual yesterday for inciting violence and planning attacks on public places and police stations. The military will only intervene if the situation becomes unmanageable, as seen during the #EndSARS protests, where several police stations were burned down in one day before a curfew was imposed in Lagos.”