Amid the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria, the country’s service chiefs and the Inspector General of Police have vowed to resist any unlawful change of government. The protests, sparked by the rising cost of living, have seen thousands take to the streets.
Notably, some protesters in the northern region were spotted waving the Russian flag, raising concerns among officials and stakeholders.
Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja affirmed the military’s commitment to democracy, peace, and stability, stating: “On behalf of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, I want to unequivocally declare our dedication to defending our democracy. We will not waver from this stance. I appeal to the youth, as the past five days have seen a needless loss of blood and resources.”
He emphasized that the army would not tolerate any calls for an unconstitutional change of government, warning against allowing the nation to descend into chaos.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) also issued a stern warning to those engaging in subversive activities, such as waving the Russian flag, labeling it an act of treason. “This is not a protest but a treasonable offense,” he stated. “The Nigeria police have arrested several individuals involved, and they will face consequences accordingly.”
Echoing these sentiments, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa cautioned against encouraging the unconstitutional takeover of government. He assured that while human rights would be respected, those involved in subversion, vandalism, or destruction of lives and properties would be pursued relentlessly.
Kemi Nandap, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), revealed that the sponsors of the unrest have been identified and placed on a watchlist. “Many of these sponsors are based abroad. We’ve placed them on our watchlist and are coordinating with relevant agencies to monitor their movements,” she said.
DSS spokesman Peter Afunanya announced that the Department of State Services (DSS) would soon disclose the identities of those supporting the insurrection. He urged patience among Nigerians as the government addresses these issues.
In response to one of the key grievances—high food prices—the Federal Government has temporarily suspended duties and taxes on imported food and pharmaceutical items. Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi expressed hope that this measure would lower food prices, stating, “A significant amount of food in Nigeria is imported, and the suspension of customs duties is aimed at reducing costs in the market. The Nigerian Customs is fully committed to implementing this fiscal policy.”
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