Protests, looting: Enough is enough, says CDS

From Molly Kilete, Abuja

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, Friday warned that the Armed Forces of Nigeria may intervene in controlling the looting crisis and identify its sponsors in the on-going nationwide hunger protests.

Gen. Musa, who frowned at the outcome of the protest where some innocent persons were attacked and killed, and businesses raided and looted, said that the military would not fold its arms and allow criminals take advantage of the situation to destroy the country.

He said the military would be forced to come in, once it observed that the situation goes beyond what the police can handle. The  CDS, who made this known at a press conference with broadcast journalists in Abuja, frowned at the way the television stations in the country gave wide publicity to the activities of protesters which he said boosted their morale to carry on with their brutality.

He said: “I noticed throughout yesterday, all the stations were hooked up to the occasion. This is not an election thing.

“We don’t give them that coverage. Some of them are looking for just moments of being on the screen. Together, I can assure you, they are going to win. And they are winning. At least from today, we have seen the level. It has really gone down.

“We should realise that these destructions, monies have to be used to replace them so that we can move forward.”  The CDS, who described the extent of destruction by the protesters on   August 1, as “crazy”, said the administration of President Bola Tinubu, which has been in power for just one year is doing its best to boost economic activities, just as he noted that the economic crisis and high cost of living is not peculiar to Nigeria alone. He therefore called on Nigerians to give the government time to address the challenges.

“So, we want to call on all Nigerians to understand the government. If you have grievances, which I know people have, a lot of challenges here and there, and it is not only in Nigeria alone; everywhere in the world is facing one economic or security crisis or the other. And so, it is important to understand that we are not alone.

“But what we can do is not allow criminals and individuals that have lost out to take advantage of this to destroy our country. We should realise that these destructions, monies have to be used to replace them so that we can move forward.”

Speaking on the conduct of personnel of the security agencies during the protest, Gen Musa said the security operatives, especially the police have been very processional in handling the protest, calling on Nigerians to show understanding with the Federal Government.