The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has described a planned ‘Revolution Now’ protest against President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration as amounting to “treasonable felony and acts of terrorism”.
Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, had in the last couple of days been calling on “the oppressed to choose a date they desire for liberty” by joining the protest on August 5, 2019, against insecurity in the country.
The protest is being organised under the aegis of the ‘Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria’ to
Sowore was, however, reportedly arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in the early hours of Saturday, two days to the planned protest.
In a series of tweets on Friday, the publisher had said: “A Catholic Priest was killed in Enugu and now five Redeem Church Of God pastors have been kidnapped, if you still have the illusion that the @MBuhari regime can protect you, well, Goodluck! #Revolution #DaysofThunder #DaysofRage #August5”
He added: “All that is needed for a #Revolution is for the oppressed to choose a date they desire for liberty, not subjected to the approval of the oppressor. #RevolutionNow #DaysofRage #August5”.
But speaking after Sowore’s arrest via the Police Force official twitter account (@PoliceIG), IGP Adamu said his team will not allow any individual or group to “cause anarchy in the land.”
The Police chief also asked parents and guardians to caution their children and wards against joining the protest.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to a video circulating on the social media by the ‘Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria and others’, inciting Nigerians, home and abroad, to join a planned ‘revolution’ march against the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Monday, 5th August, 2019 with the sole aim of forcing a regime change in the country.
“The Force wishes to state unequivocally that the call amounts to treasonable felony and acts of terrorism and will therefore not stand idly-by and watch any individual or group in the society cause anarchy in the land.
“While acknowledging the rights of Nigerians to embark on protest, the Force wishes to note that such rights should not translate to a violent and forceful change of government which clearly is the meaning of ‘revolution’.
“Needless to state that Nigeria is a democratic republic and has well-defined processes for change of government, exercised periodically during various cycle of elections.
“The Force therefore warns the organizers, sponsors, allies, supporters, associates and sympathisers of the group ‘Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria’ to, in their own interest, steer clear of any such planned protest, demonstration, acts of incitement and proposed “revolution”, as the full wrath of the law will be brought to bear on any individual or group engaged or found participating in the above planned criminal act.
“Parents and Guardians are therefore enjoined to impress on their children and wards not to allow themselves to be used in whatever form by any person or group of persons to cause breach of law and order in the country.
“The Police will work with other Law Enforcement Agencies and positive minded Nigerians to protect, defend and secure our public peace and space.”