- Security Agency Says It Knows Financiers
By Halimah Olamide
The Directorate of State Security on Thursday said that the protests slated to commence in August is targeted at what it called a “regime change” in the country.
The DSS said it has reliable information that the aim of the protest is to damage the reputation of both the federal and state governments and pit them against the Nigerian people.
The security agency also said that it has enough information on those allegedly financing the plot to remove the Bola Tinubu-led government.
“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 a regime change especially at the Centre,” the agency said Thursday evening.
Its statement came just after a meeting at the state House where President Tinubu met the Sultan of Sokoto Sultan Abubakar, Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, police boss and National Security Adviser. Also at the meeting with the president was the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and governors of the All Progressive Congress.
Describing the proposed massive protests as “sinister” the DSS in its statement by the spokesman, Dr. Peter Ifuanaya, Director of PR and Strategic Communications, it 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 the public as leaders of the plot.
The DSS admitted that “peaceful protest is a democratic right of citizens” adding that the Service has confirmed plan by “some elements to infiltrate the protest and use it to cause chaos and extreme violence in the land.”
DSS said the planned protest has political reason.
“The Service has also identified, among others, the funding lines, sponsors and collaborators of the plot,” it said
However, the DSS said it as decided not to employ force in dealing with the situation.
” 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, good conscience and patiently engage with the authorities, in the interest of peace.
“This has become important given that violence begets destruction of lives and property as well as serve as a distraction to governance. The agitators are encouraged to use ample ways available to them to channel their grievances without resorting to violence.
“The Service calls on people of goodwill, Leaders of Thought, Captains of Industry, Labour Unions, Student Associations, Youth Leaders, the Civil Society, Clergy, NGOs, Women 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, Heads of traditional and academic institutions are respectively 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 banner. 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. Meanwhile, the website, dss.gov.ng; email address – dsspr@dss.gov.ng and Telephone lines +2349153391309; +2349088373514 will remain available to the members of the public who may wish to contact the Service.” the agency said