Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) has blown the lid off a plot to use the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria planned protests to orchestrate a regime change at the federal level.
“The plotters desire to use the intended violent outcome to smear the federal and sub-national governments; make them unpopular and pit them against the masses,” DSS spokesperson Peter Afunanya said in a statement. “The long-term objective is to achieve regime change, especially at the centre.”
The DSS claims to have identified the masterminds behind the protests, their funding sources, and their collaborators. According to Afunanya, the Service has applied “non-kinetic and conflict-resolution strategies” to dissuade the plotters from carrying out their plan.
“We urge the prospective protesters to listen to the voice of reason, good conscience, and patiently engage with the authorities in the interest of peace,” Afunanya said. “Violence begets destruction of lives and property, as well as serves as a distraction to governance.”
The DSS has warned protest groups to abandon their plans for violence and anarchy and has called on stakeholders to shun the planned protests. “Let us all join hands to build a nation without rancour, bitterness, or stained banner,” Afunanya said.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
