The Department of State Services (DSS) has identified the sponsors behind the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1. In a statement released on Thursday, the DSS cautioned against proceeding with the protests, asserting that they are not in Nigeria’s best interest.
The warning, delivered by Dr. Peter Afunanya, Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, emphasized the agency's concerns about potential violence and chaos. The DSS claimed to have intelligence suggesting that hoodlums plan to hijack the protests to incite extreme violence and unrest.
According to the statement, the protest organizers aim to instigate regime change, particularly targeting the central government. The DSS revealed that it has traced the funding sources, sponsors, and collaborators of the protest.
The DSS statement reads: “The DSS has monitored discussions about planned protests in various parts of the country in the coming weeks by unidentified persons and groups. While peaceful protest is a democratic right of citizens, the Service has uncovered a sinister plan by some elements to infiltrate the protest and incite chaos and violence. The protests appear to have political motivations, intending to discredit the federal and state governments and turn public opinion against them. The ultimate goal is to achieve a regime change at the Centre."
The DSS assured that it is employing non-violent strategies, including moral persuasion, stakeholder engagement, and diplomatic efforts, to dissuade the organizers from their plans. The agency urged all protest groups to avoid actions that could lead to rage, anarchy, and destruction.
The DSS also called on various groups, including leaders of thought, industry captains, labor unions, student associations, youth leaders, civil society, clergy, NGOs, women’s groups, civil servants, and politicians, to reject any invitation to participate in the protests. Parents, guardians, and heads of institutions were advised to discourage their children, wards, and students from joining the protests.
The DSS reaffirmed its commitment to working with other security agencies to maintain peace and indicated it would use all legitimate means necessary to ensure this.
By urging prospective protesters to engage with authorities peacefully and avoid violence, the DSS highlighted the importance of maintaining order and preventing the destruction of lives and property.
