The Department of State Services (DSS) is urging individuals and groups who have not publicly identified themselves as leaders of the planned nationwide protest to abandon their plans and avoid any form of proposed unrest, anarchy, and destruction.
In a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Peter Afunaya, the DSS acknowledges that while peaceful protest is a democratic right of citizens, it has confirmed a sinister plan by some elements to infiltrate the protest and use it to incite chaos and extreme violence.
The statement further noted that the Service has identified the motive behind the protest as political. The plotters aim to use the potential violent outcome to tarnish the image of both federal and state governments, make them unpopular, and turn the public against them, with the long-term objective of achieving a regime change, especially at the national level.
“While peaceful protest is a democratic right of citizens, the Service has confirmed a sinister plan by some elements to infiltrate the protest and use it to cause chaos and extreme violence in the land,” the statement read.
The DSS also stated that it has identified the funding sources, sponsors, and collaborators behind the plot. Consequently, it is urging parents, guardians, and heads of traditional and academic institutions to advise their children, wards, subjects, and students to refrain from participating in the planned protest.
“The Service has also identified, among others, the funding lines, sponsors, and collaborators of the plot. However, it does not think that aggression should be the first line of action in the instance, in handling the emerging scenario,” the DSS said.
The statement also indicates that the DSS will collaborate with other security and law enforcement agencies to ensure peace and, if necessary, will employ all legitimate methods to achieve this.
The planned protest, scheduled for August 1, is intended to address the ongoing economic hardships in the country.
However, government authorities are urging patience and encouraging the organizers to have faith in the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
