Alhaji Muhammad Baba-Shehu Chairman, Keffi local government area has warned protesters of the upcoming nationwide protest that security agencies are on high alert to curtail any breakdown of law and order.
He stated this at a news conference held in Keffi local government area of Nasarawa state on Tuesday after an expanded emergency security meeting.
Daily News Breakers correspondent reports that the protests slated for August 1 to 10 tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria or “Ten Days of Rage” is aimed at putting pressure on government to address hunger, bad governance and high cost of living in the country.
According to Baba-Shehu, those planning to embark on the protest in the area should disregard the move considering the volatile nature of protests in Nigeria which sometimes lead to violence and looting.
“We are all living witnesses that the ENDSARS protests led to many lives and properties hence the need to take proactive measures to avert the reoccurrence of such heinous and ugly incident,” he said.
He warned that security agencies in the area are on high alert and have been adequately mobilized to remain vigilant in every nook and cranny of the area to curtail any violent protests.
“As anybody or group of persons found causing trouble will made to face the full wrath of the law. To be forewarned is to be forearmed,” he said.
He appealed to the general public as a safety precaution to disregard any form of protest and not to participate in any kind in any way.
“I appeal to you all to be patient and give more time to the federal and state governments to address the economic and other challenges bedeviling the country believing that these problems are surmountable with measures already put in place,” he said.
Baba-Shehu who also appealed to youths of the area to shun the proposed nationwide protests called on community and religious leaders as well as parents and guardians to caution their members, subjects and wards on the dangers of the protests.
He then advised those planning to protest to leverage on other platforms to voice out their displeasure with the style of governance of leaders.
“One of such option is to engage in constructive dialogue through town hall meetings and community forums to ventilate their grievances and propose solutions.
“Also a combination of peaceful dialogue and robust advocacy can be used by our youths and other citizens to effectively communicate their grievances and push for meaningful reforms,” he said.
He pointed out that while the protesters mean well for the country and only want to engage in a peaceful protest, the protest could be hijacked by miscreants and criminals minded persons who could use the the avenue to cause havoc.