“DSS is aware of the Government’s efforts and determination to resolve some of the challenges confronting the nation, it warns those desirous of subverting national security to retrace their steps”
The Department of State Services (DSS) says it has uncovered plans by certain politicians across the country to stage violent protests by mobilising student leaders, and ethnic associations.
Peter Afunanya, the service spokesperson, issued a statement on X (Twitter) asserting that the intended demonstrations aim to undermine the Federal Government (FG) and push the nation into chaos, citing concerns related to socio-economic issues. He emphasized that the organizers of these protests have been identified and are currently under surveillance.
“The Department of State Services hereby informs the public that it has uncovered plans by some elements in parts of the country to stage violent protests to discredit the Federal Government and security agencies over sundry socio-economic matters,” the statement read.
”Intelligence reports have indicated that the plotters include certain politicians who are desperately mobilising unsuspecting student leaders, ethnic-based associations, youth, and disgruntled groups for the planned action. Meanwhile, the service has identified the ring leaders of the plot as well as sustained monitoring around them in order to deter them from plunging the country into anarchy.”
Afunanya called on heads of tertiary institutions to discourage their students from engaging in any activity that could disrupt peace in the country.
“In view of this development, University Vice-Chancellors and Heads of Tertiary Institutions are advised to discourage their students from engaging in acts capable of derailing public peace. Also, parents and guardians are enjoined to admonish their children and wards respectively to shun the lure of participating in inimical behaviours or conduct against law and order,” he urged.
He advised those who intended to take advantage of the challenges facing the nation to cause mayhem in the country to have a rethink.
“While the DSS is aware of the Government’s efforts and determination to resolve some of the challenges confronting the nation, it warns those desirous of subverting national security to retrace their steps. This is more so that it will not hesitate to legally come against persons and groups behind the devious plans, ” the statement added.
Recall that the presidential election petition tribunal had fixed September to hear the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and its standard bearer, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, and the Labour Party challenging President Bola Tinubu’s victory at the February 25 Presidential election.
The Tribunal had previously reserved the judgment after the petitioners closed their cases in June after calling 40 out of the 150 witnesses earlier listed in their petitions against the All Progressives Congress and Tinubu.
While Tinubu’s lawyer prayed for a successful outcome, Atiku’s legal team admonished the tribunal to “shun executive intimidation and dispense judgment on the matter.”
Since the integration of Bola Tinubu as President of Nigeria, various protests against the socio-economic realities of citizens have been reported across the country.
Don’t miss out on: STRIKE: NLC, TUC Set for Showdown
In August 2023, the Nigeria Labor Congress embarked on an industrial strike action to protest the fuel subsidy removal. The organised labour, however, agreed to suspend further action, after meeting with President Tinubu.
On September 1, the NLC declared a two-day warning strike, between September 5 and 6, to protest against the Federal Government for failing to address the challenges caused by the removal of fuel subsidy. The labour union had accused the Federal Government of abandoning the negotiations and failing to implement some of the resolutions from previous meetings with the government.
Unions in the critical sectors of the economy and 52 other affiliates of the NLC have stepped up the mobilisation of members ahead of the two-day warning strike planned by the workers’ body.
Among the critical sector unions are the Nigeria Union of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, which controls the fuel distribution across the country; the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE; the Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PTECSSAN, and National Union of Banks, among others.