Planned protest aimed at discrediting FG

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The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday said that it has unmasked the reasons behind the proposed nationwide violent protest against the perceived economic hardship in the country, saying that the main motive was to discredit the federal government and bring it down

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Spokesperson of the Service, Dr Peter Afunaya

Consequently, the Service called on people of goodwill—leaders of Thought, Captains of Industry, Labour Unions, Student Associations, Youth Leaders, 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.

The statement reads, ” The Department of State Services (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 the 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. 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 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. Instead, it has variously applied non-kinetic and conflict resolution strategies, including moral suasion, stakeholder engagement and other multi-track diplomatic shuttles, to dissuade the planners from actualizing their undesirable objective.

“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 destruction of lives and property as well as serving as a distraction to governance. The agitators are encouraged to use the 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, and 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 a 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.

“In the meantime, the website dss.gov.ng, email address [email protected], and telephone lines +2349153391309 and +2349088373514 will remain available to members of the public who may wish to contact the service.

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