DSS counsels against planned protest

From Molly Kilete, Abuja

The Department of State Services (DSS) claimed  it has confirmed a sinister plan by some elements to infiltrate the protest and use it to cause chaos and extreme violence in the land.

DSS director of public relations and strategic communication Peter Afunaya, said the plotters desire to use the intended violent outcome to smear the federal and sub-national governments; make them unpopular and pitch them against the masses, adding that the long term objective is to achieve a regime change especially at the centre.

The statement read: “The Service has also identified, among others, the funding lines, sponsors and collaborators of the plot. However, it does not think that aggression should be the first line of  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 actualising their undesirable objective.

“Based on the foregoing, the Service wishes to warn all the protesting groups to eschew any form of proposed rage, anarchy and spoliation.

“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. This has become important given that violence begets destruction of lives and property as well as serve as a distraction to governance.

“The agitators are encouraged to use ample ways available to them to channel their grievances without resorting to violence.

“The service calls on people of goodwill, leaders of thought,  captains of Industry, labour unions,  student associations, youth leaders, the civil society, clergy, NGOs, women groups, civil servants and politicians to shun any invitation to participate in any orchestrated violence, deliberately designed to cause disaffection in the country.

Similarly, parents, guardians, heads of traditional and academic institutions are respectively urged to advise their children, wards, subjects and students not to take part in the planned protest. Let us all join hands to build a Nation without rancour, bitterness or stained banner.”