SAN FRANCISCO, October 15, (THEWILL) – A torrent of attacks on the Nigerian Army has been triggered by its statement warning #EndSARS protesters in the country.
Several reactions on Social Media on Thursday questioned the logic behind the riot act to peaceful protesters when it has failed to defeat the menace of Boko Haram in the North East.
The army early on Thursday warned those it called subversive elements and trouble makers to desist from such acts as it remains highly committed to defend the country and her democracy at all cost. Colonel Sagir Musa, the spokesman said the army is committed to the sustenance of peace, security and defence of democracy.
Musa’s contentious statement read:
“The Nigerian Army (NA) wishes to reassure law abiding citizens that it is highly committed to the sustenance of peace, security and defence of democracy in Nigeria. As a responsible and law abiding organisation, the NA reaffirms its unalloyed loyalty and commitment to the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari and the Constitution of the Country.
“The NA hereby warns all subversive elements and trouble makers to desist from such acts as it remains highly committed to defend the country and her democracy at all cost. The NA is ready to fully support the civil authority in whatever capacity to maintain law and order and deal with any situation decisively. All officers and men are directed never to be distracted by anti-democratic forces and agents of disunity”.
ALSO READ: BREAKING: #EndSWAT Protesters Storm National Assembly
However, the statement incensed pro #EndSARS protesters, with the army derided for its inadequacies in containing the real security breaches in the country. Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai was trending on Nigerian Twitter on Thursday as the attacks mounted in the social media.
Some of the comments on Twitter read:
@YeleSowore: #ENDSWAT Nigerian Army has no business supporting despots, this statement is highly irresponsible, inappropriate and provocative. The Army should be loyal to its employer-the Nigerian people! Stop using the @HQNigerianArmy to intimidate Nigerians, it won’t work! #RevolutionNow
@fisayosoyombo: After soldiers seized @ARISEtv cameras on Tuesday & threatened to shoot a journalist with @thecableng on Wednesday, that press statement by the Nigerian Army is every bit distasteful. Branding #EndSARS #EndSWAT protesters “subversive elements” is such an irritable joke. Pls stop
@TosinOlugbenga: Dear @HQNigerianArmy,
The Police CANNOT stop us.
You also CANNOT stop us.
You are called Nigerian Army for a purpose and not Buhari’s Army.
WE own YOU.
You have no constitutional right to disrupt peaceful protesters agitating for a better Nigeria.
@chef_amakaa: Nigerian Army is supposed to handle terrorist issues in the country. We are not terrorists, we are citizens who are also peaceful protesters. Nigerian Army being involved in this is a pure definition of misplaced priorities. #EndSWAT #StopPoliceBrutalityinNigeria
@Aisha_yesuf: Reading through this press release by Nigerian Army. One tends to ask again, is Buhari the COMMANDER IN CHIEF of Military armed forces or…….?? This is hilarious and unlawful.
@Bigbounce01:
The Malian Army protected the citizens.
The Nigerian army is threatening the citizens. Shame.
If you @HQNigerianArmy take the side of the government, you would share their fate.
God is involved in this matter.
@I_Am_Ilemona:
Who is the Nigerian Army warning with this statement? What does this even mean? After soldiers seized @ARISEtv cameras on Tuesday & threatened to shoot a journalist with @thecableng on Wednesday, that press statement by the Nigerian Army is every bit distasteful. Branding #EndSARS #EndSWAT protesters “subversive elements” is such an irritable joke. Pls stop
Over 70 touts conveyed in small yellow buses (Korope) disrupted our peaceful protest in Alausa earlier today. They did not only attack us, they also attacked passengers in the Lagos Bus (BRT) & other commuters. pic.twitter.com/gCkuUdTsx0
— Dr PamPam | Omo Iya Ologi (@UnclePamilerin) October 15, 2020
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