The military issued a stern warning to looters exploiting the #EndBadGovernance protests, urging them to cease the destruction of lives and properties.
At a press conference in Abuja, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa described the extent of the first day’s destruction as “crazy,” and pledged that the Armed Forces would not allow the looting and destruction to persist.
General Musa highlighted that the Bola Tinubu administration has been in power for a year and is working to improve the economy, noting that the current economic challenges are a global issue. He called on Nigerians to be patient as the government addresses these problems.
Despite the protests turning violent in some areas, General Musa emphasized the need for peaceful demonstrations and condemned those taking advantage of the situation. He assured that the military and other security agencies would act decisively against any further destruction.
General Musa stated that the high cost of living and economic hardship is part of a global phenomenon and urged Nigerians to support the government’s efforts to resolve these issues.
The defence chief acknowledged the grievances of the protesters but warned against allowing criminals to exploit the situation.
He assured that the military would act professionally to stop looting and destruction, and that those caught would be prosecuted.
Support for the Police: The military is on standby to support the police, who are currently managing the situation. The military will step in if necessary.
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The #EndBadGovernance protests began on August 1, 2024, across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). On the first and second days, police dispersed protesters using tear gas, which civil society organizations condemned. Some protests turned violent, with looters targeting public and private properties.
Several states, including Kano, Borno, Yobe, Katsina, Nasarawa, and Jigawa, have imposed curfews to curb the violence. Amnesty International reported deaths during the protests, while the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, confirmed that a policeman was killed, and several others were injured.
The protesters are calling for the restoration of petrol subsidies, a fair forex regime, solutions to food shortages, unemployment, and government waste. They also demand immediate reforms of the electoral commission (INEC) and the anti-corruption agency (EFCC).
General Musa emphasized the importance of unity and working together to overcome the nation’s challenges. He warned that the military would not tolerate further destruction and would identify and deal with the sponsors behind the looting. He also urged the media to avoid giving undue attention to those seeking to exploit the situation for personal gain.
