The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), on Thursday, revealed that it has uncovered a scheme by troublemakers to target car owners, landlords, and smartphone users during the upcoming ‘EndBadGovernance’ protest scheduled for next month.
“Already, we have detected some unscrupulous elements bent on hijacking the planned protest to make it violent. Many are therefore following in ignorance,” said Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, at a press briefing in Abuja.
“For instance, there are indications that if you possess a smartphone, if you possess a car, if you possess a shop, if you own a house or even use air conditioning in your house, you have been labelled a target.”
He cautioned against any form of violence during the upcoming nationwide demonstration and suggested that the protest organizers might aim to replicate the recent chaotic demonstrations seen in Kenya.
General Buba stated that while citizens have the right to express their grievances, the military will not tolerate any form of violent gatherings or protests.
The police have also issued warnings against violent protests next month.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, governors, and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have urged Nigerians to reconsider participating in the ‘EndBadGovernance’ protest scheduled for next month.
The protest, which is gaining momentum on social media, is planned to take place across all states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, in August. The organizers remain anonymous.
In recent months, the prices of food and basic commodities have surged dramatically as Nigerians grapple with severe inflation and economic challenges brought on by the government’s policies of removing petrol subsidies and unifying forex windows.