The Department of State Services (DSS) has urged individuals and groups planning a nationwide protest to abandon their plans and avoid any actions that could lead to unrest and violence.
In a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Peter Afunaya, the DSS acknowledged that while peaceful protest is a democratic right, it has uncovered a plot by certain elements to infiltrate the protest and incite chaos and extreme violence.
The DSS claims the protest is politically motivated, with the plotters aiming to use the resulting violence to discredit federal and state governments, making them unpopular and ultimately seeking regime change 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 it has identified the funding sources, sponsors, and collaborators behind the plot. It urged parents, guardians, and leaders of traditional and academic institutions to discourage their children, wards, subjects, and students 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 handling the emerging scenario,” the DSS said.
The statement further indicated that the DSS will collaborate with other security and law enforcement agencies to maintain peace and, if necessary, will use all legitimate methods to achieve this.
The planned protest, scheduled for August 1, aims to highlight the prevailing economic hardship in the country. Government authorities are calling for patience and urging the organizers to have faith in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
