October 1 Protest: Military on red alert amid concerns

The Defence Headquarters announced on Monday that troops are on standby to support police efforts during the planned nationwide protest scheduled for today, October 1.

This decision follows the previous #EndBadGovernance protests, which saw violent outbreaks in parts of Nigeria, especially the North.

The latest demonstration, tagged #FearlessInOctober, seeks to highlight the ongoing economic hardships facing Nigerians.

However, civil society organizations and senior legal experts have raised concerns about the potential escalation of violence with the involvement of the military, warning that such action could aggravate tensions.

During the August protests, violence broke out, and some participants were seen waving Russian flags while calling for regime change.

In response, authorities arrested at least 30 protesters, including one flag producer, Ahmed Bello, in Kano.

Ten individuals have been charged with treason, mutiny, and inciting citizens against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Additionally, a 70-year-old British national, Andrew Wynne, is allegedly linked to the incitement and is currently at large.

Military deployment

However, speaking on security preparation for the October 1 protest in an interview with one of our correspondents, the Director of Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, stated that troops would support the Nigeria Police Force to maintain law and order.

He said, “The military is on alert and prepared to support the police in line with constitutional provisions, particularly in the face of breakdown of law and order.”

Also, the 33 Artillery Brigade in Bauchi State said it was ready to assist the police in ensuring law and order during the protest.

However, the Public Relations Officer, 33 Artillery Bauchi, Solomon Hallet, explained that the brigade had yet to get any request from the NPF.

He stated, “You know our constitutional responsibility is when we are called upon. And the military is always ready at all times. But if we are not called upon, we have no business with civil disturbance.”

Based on its constitutional mandate, Hallet said the military should assist the police, adding, “At this point, we have not been called upon to do anything so I cannot tell you our level of preparation against it or anything.

“I am a Nigerian and a military officer, I have signed to do my work irrespective of protest or not. We, the military, are in the background. We don’t need to interfere in anything civil until we are called upon.”

The spokesman, Division 7 of the Nigerian Army in Borno State, Lt. Col A.Y. Jingina, told one of our correspondents that troops in the state were on “high alert” to support the police in enforcing law and order ahead of the Independence Day celebration today.

“We have always done that, because of the nature of this place. Anytime the police call us to do that, we always help them. As we speak, we already have men on ground. You know this is an operational ground, so we have our men on ground but we cannot disclose the number of men we are deploying for the operation.”

In a related development, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command said it had commenced deployment of personnel and equipment for today’s Independence celebration.

The command, however, was silent over its preparation for the protest.

In a statement on Monday, the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said the deployment included Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel, anti-riot equipment, and visibility policing, among others.

She added that this was to ensure FCT residents had a peaceful Independence Day celebration.

She said, “The FCT Police Command, in anticipation of the upcoming October 1st Independence Day celebration, has strategically deployed adequate personnel and equipment throughout the FCT.

“These proactive deployments aim to ensure that residents of the FCT enjoy a hitch-free Independence Day celebration. The deployment will include Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel, anti-riot equipment, and visibility policing, among others.”

She also said there would be traffic diversion in areas likely to witness large crowds, especially the Eagle Square, where the protesters had vowed they would converge for the protest.

Adeh said, “Traffic diversions will be implemented in areas expected to experience large crowds, including Central Area and Eagle Square.

“While celebrating Independence Day, residents of the FCT are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements or activities to the FCT Police emergency lines: 08032003913, 08028940883, 08061581938, 07057337653, PCB: 09022222352, CRU: 08107314192.”

Similarly, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on Monday deployed 3,500 personnel across the FCT to ensure security during the country’s 64th anniversary.

NSCDC FCT Command spokesperson, Samuel Idoko, said, “The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, FCT Command, has deployed 3,500 personnel to provide security in the FCT for Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary celebrations.”

“Special units, including the Armed Squad, Special Crack Squad (Operation Adaka-su), Female Strike Force, Anti-Counter Terrorism Squad, and Agro Rangers have been mobilised to enhance security efforts.

“Personnel will be strategically positioned throughout the FCT, covering all Area Councils and the city centre, to prevent any potential unrest.”

The FCT NSCDC Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, emphasised the importance of the corps’ role in ensuring a peaceful celebration.

Odumosu highlighted the unique status of the FCT as the nation’s seat of power and a hub for diplomatic missions, underscoring the need for professionalism among the NSCDC personnel.

“The government and residents of the FCT expect a lot from the Corps to have a peaceful celebration. The command must ensure the safety of public and private properties in the Federal Capital.

“With the FCT being the seat of power and hosting diplomatic headquarters from around the world, the c corps must be highly professional in the discharge of their duties to avoid any form of infraction,” Odumosu noted.

He added that adherence to the corps’ Standard Operating Procedures is crucial and ordered 24-hour surveillance of critical national assets.

Protest organisers

Speaking on the planned rally, the National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, called on Nigerians to show up to protest what he described as the “Neo-liberal” and “anti-people direction of the Tinubu government.”

“We are about 12 hours to the time of action tomorrow (today), October 1, and we are seizing this moment to call on Nigerians from all works of life, students, workers, artisans, and everyone who has been economically dispossessed by the economic policies of the Tinubu government, to seize tomorrow as an opportunity to express their displeasure by protesting the neo-liberal and the anti-people direction of the Tinubu government.

“We are calling on students who are facing the problem of fee hikes, we are calling on students who are dropping out of school due to unaffordable fees to troop out en masse. We are calling on workers who are being paid slave wages to come out tomorrow in protest. We are calling on millions of Nigerians who have become victims of the insecurity and bloodlust in different parts of the country, especially the northern part of Nigeria.

“We are calling on everybody who one way or the other, have become victims of this oppressive regime to come out tomorrow and make a statement. And what is that statement? Enough is enough! And we are protesting until victory is ascertained,” he said.

Sanyaolu added that the protests will be held at the Ikeja Under Bridge in Lagos and the Eagle Square in Abuja, despite the restrictions by the FCT Administration and the Lagos State government.

Asked if the protesters would abide by the government restrictions, he said, “The government has no right to restrict Nigerians to a spot. The government has no right to determine how Nigerians choose to exercise their constitutional rights to that extent. These are guaranteed by law. As moribund as the Constitution of Nigeria is, it still recognises our right to freedom of assembly; it recognises our right to movement.

“So, whatsoever the Lagos State Government or the Federal Government is dishing out, these are all lawless orders, and this is not a banana republic, and we have no business complying with lawlessness.”