Military will take action if protest escalates, CDS warns

Christopher Musa, chief of defence staff (CDS), says the military will intervene if the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest degenerates. 

Musa spoke in reaction to the vandalisation and looting that have characterised the protest in some parts of the country.

In Kano, protesters looted the newly built Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) Industrial Park, setting parts of it ablaze.

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre was scheduled for inauguration next week.

Some youths were seen making away with desktop computers, chairs, keyboards, and other appliances from the centre.

The protest, which has also turned ugly in Yobe, Lagos, Borno, Gombe, and Abuja, has left at least 14 people dead.

Organisers have labelled the nationwide demonstrations as ’10 Days of Rage’.

In a press conference on Friday, Musa urged protesters to recognise that destruction is counter-productive and would only set the nation back.

“We should realise that these destructions and monies have to be used — monies for development will have to be used to develop these things so we can move forward, and so instead of doing that, we should come together to make sure nothing is destroyed,” the CDS said.

“The statement has already been passed to the local, state, and federal governments.”

Musa commended the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for its efforts to maintain law and order, but added that the military would be forced to step in if the violence persists.

“We want to warn those that are recalcitrant, those that don’t want to listen, that we will not fold our hands and see our country destroyed,” Musa warned.

“We will take action, and the action that we’ll take will be professional. Anyone who is caught will be taken to the courts to be dealt with.

“Let us avoid anything that will bring mayhem within our communities.

“We have seen the level of destruction that has been carried out just yesterday, and so you can imagine if this continues for so long. The armed forces and the entire military security agencies will not stand by and see that to continue.”

The military chief also asked the media to lessen coverage of the protests, saying some protesters are only looking for screen time.

“I noticed throughout yesterday all the stations were hooked up on the occasion. This is not an election, don’t give them that coverage because some of them are just looking for moments of being on the screen,” he said.

Musa implored Nigerians to be patient with the government, saying policies have been enacted and actions have been taken to ensure there is relief from the hardship.