Nigeria: Troops On Red Alert, Will Step In If Protest Gets Out Of Hand – DHQ

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By Emmanuel Nduka

Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has hinted that its men have been placed on red alert to step in “to bring stability wherever it may be needed in the face of ongoing protest across the country”.

Heritage Times HT reports that young people in Nigeria have for the last two days taken to the streets in protest against the administration of President Bola Tinubu over growing hunger in the West African country.

The DHQ gave the hint in a statement on Friday by Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations.

“We have tighten security in several areas, bearing in mind the protest was hijacked and turned violent in some parts of the country,” the DHQ stated.

The DHQ recounted that on July 31, just on the eve of the #Endbadgovernance protest, several lifes were lost after an “incident occurred when a female suicide bomber infiltrated and detonated her suicide vest in Kawuri Village of Konduga LGA in Borno State.

“The incident resulted in 17 civilian deaths with several others wounded and receiving treatment in hospital.

“Inspite of the ugly incident, our operations are continuing to deepen our successes particularly in the NE,NW, NC and SE zones of the nation. In the SS, troops restrategised operations to boost optimal output in crude oil production by curbing crude oil theft,” the military added.

Gen. Buba added that in July, troops neutralized 572 terrorists, arrested 790 suspected terrorists and other criminal elements, and rescued 479 kidnapped hostages.

“The military remains committed and strong to its mission of defending defending the country and protecting citizens. Citizens are urged not to compromise on security, otherwise the security of everyone is compromised,” Buba added.