Newsbreak: DSS says protest designed to overthrow Tinubu’s Govt

By Samuel Ogunsona

The overall objective of the 10-day protest scheduled to begin on August 01 is to cause a regime change.

The DSS said the planners want to overthrown the Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Directorate of State Security asked Nigerians to shun the protests.

In a statement on Thursday, the DSS called on Nigerians to stay away from the protests planned to take place across the 36 states of the Federation.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country has been facing relentless crisis with the economy in a shambles. Inflation has hit 33% while poverty and food scarcity face a country once looked upon by Africa as the continent’s beacon.

Many Nigerians go hungry daily as prices of foodstuff soar. This comes amidst flamboyant and arrogant lives of politicians have failed to live a standard that shows the economy is lean.

The DSS said it has uncovered a plan by some criminal elements to hijack the protest and push the country to anarchy.

The DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya said the organisers of the protests have political motives.

He said the protesters want to use the protest to disrupt national and sub-national governments.

“The DSS has followed the discourse on planned protests in parts of the country in the coming weeks by persons and groups yet to identify themselves in public as leaders of the plot.

“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. It has also identified the reason behind the protest as political” Afunnaya said.

According to the DSS “The plotters desire to use the intended violent outcome to smear the federal and sub-national governments, make them unpopular, and pit them against the masses. The long-term objective is to achieve regime change, especially at the Centre.”

The DSS said 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 handling the emerging scenario.

Afunanya warned the protesters to eschew any form of anarchy among others in the interest of peace.

He said, “Based on the foregoing, the Service wishes to warn all the protest groups to eschew any form of proposed rage, anarchy, and spoliation. While the different levels of Government have routinely explained their agenda to ameliorate alleged harsh economic conditions, the Service urges the prospective protesters to listen to the voice of reason and good conscience and patiently engage with the authorities in the interest of peace.

“This has become important given that violence begets the destruction of lives and property as well as serves as a distraction to governance. The agitators are encouraged to use ample ways available to them to channel their grievances without resorting to violence.”

Afunanya said, “The Service calls on people of goodwill, leaders of thought, captains of industry, labour unions, student associations, youth leaders, civil society, clergy, NGOs, women’s groups, civil servants, and politicians to shun any invitation to participate in any orchestrated violence, deliberately designed to cause disaffection in the country.

“Similarly, parents, guardians, and heads of traditional and academic institutions are urged to advise their children, wards, subjects, and students not to take part in the planned protest. Let us all join hands to build a nation without rancour, bitterness, or stained banners.

“The Service will work with other sister security and law enforcement agencies to maintain peace. It will, where necessary, apply all legitimate methods to achieve this.”