DHQ Warns Against Planned Protest

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Thursday warned that the Nigerian military and other security agencies, will not tolerate any act that threatens national security.
In a statement signed by the Acting Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brigadier-General Rabe Abubakar, the DHQ said its warning followed threats by a group to embark on protest.
Though, the DHQ did not mention any group, recent reports had quoted the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), as threatening to carry out a one million-man protest against alleged ill-treatment suffered by a particular region, since the inauguration of the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The DHQ’s statement reads: “The attention of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has been drawn to some newspaper publication by a group of persons threatened to embark on acts of sabotage against the Nigerian state.

“The DHQ hereby warned that the military and other security agencies will not condone any acts by individuals or group that is capable of breach to security and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta or in any part of the country. This is because, the nation’s interest is above that of individual or group’s interest.
“In as much as the military recognizes the supremacy of the Constitution which guarantees freedom of expression and association, the constitution also frowns against individuals or groups hiding under it to stir up trouble and insecurity in the land.
“Any individual or groups who have genuine complain or grievances should use the available means of dialogue for amicable resolution but certainly not violence, as it will not be tolerated.”