By Augustine Ehikioya
Baring his mind on the nationwide hunger protests in Nigeria, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has said that the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies are not interested in killing, injuring or prosecuting anybody.
These, he said, will only happen to those who have crossed the line.
Gen Musa spoke in Abuja during a joint briefing by the Armed Forces and security agencies. Security Watch Africa (SWA) was there.
He said “We know Nigeria is challenged, especially with the riot ongoing, but we are happy that people have seen reason that members of the Armed Forces and security agencies are working in synergy for the good of Nigeria.
“None of us is interested in anybody being killed, anybody being injured, anybody being prosecuted, except those that have crossed the line” he stated.
The service chiefs also took turn to speak, declaring that they will carry out their responsibilities in line with the constitution to protect the country and its democracy.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja said “I want to on behalf of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to state unequivocally that the Nigerian Army stand assured in defence of our democracy, of our peace and harmony. And we are not going to shift ground on that.
“Our return to democracy in 1999 as a nation cost us blood and treasure.
“So my appeal to youth is that what we have witnessed in the past five days is needless investment of blood, of treasure, calling for unconstitutional change of government, the Nigerian Army will not sit back and watch the nation slide into anarchy.”
According to him, the troops of the Nigerian Army will continue to collaborate with other security agencies in the population space to maintain law and order.
On his part, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal, Hasan Abubakar, acknowledged the challenges and hardship in the land and the rights of Nigerians to peaceful protest.
But he noted that the protests carried out in the country are no longer what they were purported to be.
He said “It is very clear to all that the protest has been hijacked by criminal elements and other groups that do not mean well for the country.
“While it is a constitutional right to participate in peaceful protest, it is also an offence and crime to engage in disorder, violence and chaos.
“And also it is the responsibility of the Armed Forces and other security agencies to ensure that violence, disorder chaos do not prevail. And, we will ensure that this does not happen.
“We appeal to well-meaning and peace-living Nigerians to give peace a chance, to go back and give dialogue a chance and the problem will be resolved peacefully.
“Participation in violence, looting cannot solve the problem. It is going to aggravate it and make it worse,” he stated.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral, Emmanuel Ogalla, said “We are ready and resolute to provide the necessary assistance to the Nigeria Police to ensure that law and order is restored in all parts of the country where these violent protests have started.
The Director General, Department of State Services (DSS), represented by the Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Dr. Peter Afunanya, said it will not be tolerated for protesters to destroy public infrastructure, pilfer, loot and undermine public peace.
“There is no responsible government or organisation in any nation across the world that will fold their hands and allow peace of their nation brought down by people who have either decided to be subversive or illegitimately disposed to insecurity and disorder.
“We appeal to our youths, to our mothers, to our fathers, to the generality of Nigerians, to please give peace a chance and allow the government do what is needful.
“We have continued to map out strategies to ensure that any person who is involved in outright display of anarchy and chaos in the nation must be brought to book.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, noted that the President’s nationwide broadcast on Sunday has already doused the tension in the land.
“Peaceful protesters heeded the call of Mr. President to embrace dialogue. But we still have in few states, in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina and Bauchi states, groups of people who started subversive campaign, waving flags of other countries and openly calling for military take over of government.
“This is not a protest, but an offence of treason. Nigeria Police has arrested a number of them and they will be dealt with accordingly. They will be given appropriate charges.
“I want to use this opportunity to warn our youths to desist from accepting foreign flags from agents of distabilization. It is very very implicating for them to be seen with flags of other countries while on protest.
“So, far the situation is under control and we believe that after this press conference those misguided elements and their sponsors will desist from this act of treason.” he said.
The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, said the outfit has made some arrest of people trying to attack or have attacked critical Nigerian assets of government and infrastructure.
“This one is really not a protest from what we have seen. There are reports and agitation for a regime change and that is treasonable in nature.” he added.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, noted that there are a lot of ongoing measures to address and ameliorate the issues of hunger and inflation.
On imported food items granted custom duty and tax waivers, he said “I urge Nigerians to be a little patience believing that these items that have already arrived our shores would be cleared without imposition of custom duties and taxes.”
On her part, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, noted that all the borders are manned and protected.
“We do this also in collaboration with the military as well because like the CDS said everyone is working together and all hands are on deck.” she stated.
