The military vows to crack down on looters and appeals to protesters to avoid mayhem, emphasizing the importance of peaceful demonstrations.
General Christopher Musa, the Defence chief, affirmed that the Armed Forces will promptly intervene and prohibit any further looting or destruction from continuing.
On Friday, the military cautioned looters who were exploiting the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations held across Nigeria to refrain from causing harm or damaging properties.
During a press conference held in the country’s capital, Abuja, on the second day of protests against economic struggles and expensive living costs, General Christopher Musa- Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)- stated that the level of devastation witnessed during the initial demonstration was “insane”.
According to him, the Military will intervene and prevent looting and destruction from spreading.
According to the defense chief, during the one-year reign of Bola Tinubu’s administration, there has been a concerted effort by the government towards promoting economic growth.
According to General Musa, the economic crisis and soaring living expenses in Nigeria are challenges faced by nations worldwide. He advised Nigerians to exercise patience while awaiting governmental efforts towards solutions.
“We urge all Nigerians to comprehend the government,” he stated. “While we recognize that many individuals harbor grievances due to various difficulties experienced in Nigeria, it is also important to bear in mind that similar economic or security crises exist worldwide. We are not alone.”
Preventing criminals and those who have suffered losses from exploiting the situation to harm our country is within our power. It’s important for us to recognize that any damage caused must be repaired using resources, in order for us to progress.
To prevent the plundering, turmoil and other resultant consequences of the demonstrations, several state governments including Kano, Borno, Yobe, Katsina Nasarawa Jigawa have enforced a curfew in unstable local government areas (LGAs) located within their jurisdiction.
According to Amnesty International, there have been reports of deaths. The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has stated that one policeman was killed, several officers sustained injuries and police stations were set on fire.
Starting on August 1, 2024, the widespread demonstrations against financial struggles were sparked through social media and are planned to span from that date until August 10 in all states of the Federation along with Abuja, the country’s capital.
Nigerians are facing a severe economic crisis with one of the highest inflation rates, resulting in soaring prices for food and basic necessities. This predicament is attributed to the government’s decision to eliminate petrol subsidies and consolidate forex windows policies.
The protesters are demanding several things, such as the reinstatement of petrol subsidies and forex regulations. They’re also calling on the government to resolve issues surrounding food scarcity, joblessness, and excessive spending by influential figures. Additionally, they demand prompt overhauls for both INEC (the electoral regulatory body) and EFCC (an anti-corruption agency), with a renewed sense of urgency in tackling corrupt politicians.
According to the defence chief, peaceful protesters have effectively conveyed their message to both federal and local governments.
He urged peaceful demonstrators to prevent troublemakers and traitors from wreaking havoc on the country.
He stated that despite being faced with challenges as a nation, we are confident in our ability to overcome them by working cooperatively as Nigerians. Therefore, it is crucial for us to refrain from engaging in any activities that could result in chaos across the country.
