Nigeria’s secret police, the State Security Service (SSS), say it has uncovered plots by some people it described as “disaffected” elements to spark violence in parts of the country, particularly in the geopolitical north and center. .
In a statement on Saturday from its spokesman, Peter Afunanya, the SSS said that those who planned to cause chaos intend to hide under the current energy crisis in the country.
The SSS disclosure comes as Nigerians grapple with fuel shortages since February after substandard fuel was imported into the country.
The shortage has resulted in weeks of severe shortages and long lines at gas stations. The shortage has caused transport costs to rise, which has affected goods and raw materials.
Aside from fuel shortages, Nigerians are also facing a poor electricity supply caused by the collapse of the country’s national grid.
The SSS, in the statement, said that those who are planning the ungodly act intend to use the students and professors who are currently at home due to the industrial action of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
“The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby alerts the public to a sinister plot by certain elements to stoke violence in parts of the country, particularly the North Central. The goal is to provoke an ethnic-religious crisis, trigger reprisals and heat up politics. In an attempt to achieve this, the sponsors have mobilized foot soldiers and held various meetings inside and outside the target areas.
“The Service is also aware of a plot to use students, striking university professors, unions, disgruntled individuals and strategic groups, as well as exploit the global energy situation to carry out a mass protest like ENDSARS. This is despite ongoing efforts by the government to address the issues,” the statement said.
Read the full statement:
PRESS RELEASE
DSS UNCOVERS PLOT OF VIOLENCE IN NORTH CENTRAL ZONE
the Department of State Security Service (SSS) hereby alerts the public to a sinister plot by certain elements to stoke violence in parts of the country, particularly the north central. The goal is to provoke an ethnic-religious crisis, trigger reprisals and heat up politics. In an attempt to achieve this, the sponsors have mobilized foot soldiers and held various meetings inside and outside the target areas.
The Service is also aware of a plot to use students, striking university professors, unions, disgruntled individuals and strategic groups, as well as exploit the global energy situation to carry out a mass protest like ENDSARS. This is despite ongoing efforts by the Government to address the issues.
Although the Service considers the plot to be unpatriotic, it is on the trail of destabilizing agents who wish to use violence to achieve ulterior goals. Although it has established measures to disrupt these trends, it warns the ringleaders and their minions to desist from acts capable of causing the breakdown of law and order. The public should be assured that the Service, along with other law enforcement agencies, will go after the sponsors of this scheme and ensure that the law takes its course.
Citizens are advised not only to compromise according to the rules, but also to resist the persuasions that will be used to destroy their own country. However, those who wish to go against the law will face consequences.
Peter Afunanya, Ph.D, fsiPublic Relations OfficerDepartment of State ServicesNational HeadquartersAbuja.March 19, 2022