By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The National Orientation Agency, NOA, has warned intending nationwide protesters to choose the option of dialogue and shun all acts of violence.
Director General of the Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa- Onilu who issued this warning on Thursday disclosed that the government will take measures to forestall any violent occurrence in all identified locations, adding that the Agency has successfully identified sponsors of the proposed protest and likely flashpoints.
However, he said that the channels of communication to government and its various arms remain open to dialogue, while it will continue to respect citizens’ right to protest in line with democratic principles.
Furthermore, the Director General revealed, “the identities of the brains behind the protest have been known, along with their collaborators who are safely residing abroad, and the government is taking necessary actions to stop their subversive plans.”
In a statement signed by Paul Odenyi, Deputy Director, Press, made available to Daybreak today, the NOA stated, “That the intentions of the elements behind the planned protest are not about governance or the state of the economy but a decoy to destabilize the country, cause mayhem and carry out arson, killings, maiming of innocent citizens for narrow political reasons.”
“That NOA is intensifying efforts in civil intelligence gathering and sensitization of community leaders, parents, and youths across the 774 local governments on the need for vigilance and collective preventive actions.”
“That the other objective of the protest is to project to the international community, a picture of an unstable country as part of the grand design to intimidate the government and seek patronage of the bigger sponsors of the planned protest.”
