- This comment comes amidst warnings from security agencies about the potential unrest the nationwide protests might cause
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has expressed concern over the upcoming protest scheduled for August 1-10, 2024, highlighting that the organizers remain unidentified.
He stated this in a statement released on Thursday by the Director of Information for the Ministry of Defence, Henshaw Ogubike.
“Unlike previous protests where the leaders were known, this anonymity is troubling,” Matawalle said.
“It is strange and ominous that those behind the protest are unknown. Who is the masquerade behind the so-called protesters? We need to know.”
This comment comes amidst warnings from security agencies about the potential unrest the nationwide protests might cause, given the economic hardships currently being experienced in the country.
He urged Nigerians to remain calm and disregard the planned protest.
The minister emphasized the importance of peaceful and lawful expression of grievances, warning that any plans to incite violence would be unacceptable.
“While our laws and international law allow peaceful protest, assembly, and association, it does not legitimize violence and destruction,” Matawalle said.
“Protests are constitutional rights; violence in the name of protest is a crime.”
He further stressed the need to protect national security and public order, citing both local and international legal provisions that restrict violent assemblies.
“We must be vigilant and not allow those with malicious intentions to disrupt our peace and unity,” he added.
“Those moving to unleash the Kenyan episode on Nigeria should look back and examine the consequences for Kenya. That experience should have no place in Nigeria because it will set us back instead of moving forward.”
He called for collective responsibility in maintaining peace and unity, urging Nigerians to reject actions that could lead to instability.
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