The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued a stern warning against the planned nationwide protest on August 1, citing intelligence that it could lead to chaos and violence. The agency claims to have identified the sponsors behind the protest and is urging them to reconsider their actions for the country’s sake.

In a press statement released Thursday by Dr. Peter Afunanya, Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, the DSS expressed concerns over the potential for the protest to be hijacked by hoodlums. The agency believes this could lead to significant violence and disruption.

Identified Sponsors and Funding Lines

The DSS’s warning comes as the agency confirms it has tracked the funding lines, sponsors, and collaborators behind the protest. “The DSS has followed the discourse on planned protests in parts of the country in the coming weeks by persons and groups yet to identify themselves in the public as leaders of the plot,” the statement read.

While acknowledging that peaceful protest is a democratic right, the DSS highlighted a “sinister plan” by certain elements to infiltrate and escalate the protest into violence. The statement noted, “The Service has confirmed a sinister plan by some elements to infiltrate the protest and use it to cause chaos and extreme violence in the land. It has also identified the reason behind the protest to be political.”

The DSS further alleged that the protest’s ultimate goal is to undermine and destabilize the federal government, with the long-term objective of achieving regime change. “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,” the statement continued.

Non-Kinetic Approaches

Despite the severity of the warning, the DSS emphasized its preference for non-violent methods to address the situation. It has engaged in conflict resolution strategies, moral suasion, and stakeholder engagement to dissuade the planners from pursuing their objectives. “However, it does not think that aggression should be the first line action in the instance, in handling the emerging scenario. It has instead, variously applied non-kinetic and conflict resolution strategies, including moral suasion, stakeholder engagement and other multi-track diplomatic shuttles, to dissuade the planners from actualizing their undesirable objective,” the statement said.

The DSS urged protest groups to avoid any actions that could lead to violence and instability. The agency called on all stakeholders, including leaders of thought, civil society, and religious groups, to advise against participating in the protest. “The Service wishes to warn all the protest groups to eschew any form of proposed rage, anarchy and spoliation,” the DSS stated.

The statement further emphasized that the different levels of government have been working to address the country’s economic challenges. It urged potential protesters to listen to reason and engage with authorities constructively. “While the different levels of Government have routinely explained their agenda to ameliorate alleged harsh economic conditions, the Service urges the prospective protesters to listen to the voice of reason, good conscience and patiently engage with the authorities, in the interest of peace.”

Source: Vanguard