Protest: We Will Take Action If Things Escalate – Military Warns

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has stated that the military will interfere if the ongoing nationwide #EndbadGovernance protest turn violent.

While speaking at a press conference in Abuja today, August 2, the Army commander urged demonstrators to understand that destruction is fruitless and will only set the nation back.

“We should realise that these destructions and monies have to be used—monies for development will have to be used to develop these things so we can move forward, and so instead of doing that, we should come together to make sure nothing is destroyed.

“The statement has already been passed to the local, state, and federal governments.

“We want to warn those that are recalcitrant, those that don’t want to listen, that we will not fold our hands and see our country destroyed.

“We will take action, and the action that we’ll take will be professional. Anyone who is caught will be taken to the courts to be dealt with.

“Let us avoid anything that will bring mayhem within our communities. We have seen the level of destruction that has been carried out just yesterday, and so you can imagine if this continues for so long. The armed forces and the entire military security agencies will not stand by and see that to continue.”

The military head also ordered the media to limit coverage of the protest, claiming that some protestors are merely vying for screen time.

“I noticed throughout yesterday all the stations were hooked up on the occasion. This is not election, don’t give them that coverage because some of them are just looking for moments of being on the screen,” he said.

The End Bad Governance protests, which began across the country on Monday, August 1, saw widespread destruction and looting of private and public property in various states, particularly in the North.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli