The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued a warning against the planned nationwide protest, citing potential risks of violence and chaos.
In a press statement signed by Dr. Peter Afunanya, the Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, the agency cautioned against the protest, stating that it had identified the sponsors and urged them not to proceed with the demonstration.
According to the statement, the DSS has intelligence indicating that the planned protest could be hijacked by hoodlums to incite violence and create disorder in the country.
The agency alleged that the objective of the protest planners is to cause regime change, particularly at the center of the government.
While acknowledging the citizens’ democratic right to peaceful protest, the DSS emphasized its concerns about the potential for the protest to be exploited for political motives and to disrupt the peace in the country.
The agency also claimed to have identified the funding sources, sponsors, and collaborators of the protest plot.
In response to the emerging scenario, the DSS has advocated for non-kinetic and conflict resolution strategies, including moral suasion and stakeholder engagement, to dissuade the protest planners from pursuing their objectives.
The agency urged the protest groups to reconsider their approach and engage with the authorities constructively in the interest of peace, emphasizing the destructive impact of violence on lives, property, and governance.
Additionally, the DSS called upon various segments of society, including leaders, associations, and individuals, to reject invitations to participate in any orchestrated violence and encouraged them to use peaceful channels to address their grievances.
The security outfit emphasized its commitment to collaborating with other security and law enforcement agencies to maintain peace and assured that it would employ legitimate methods, where necessary, to uphold peace and security in the country.
