Commandant-General (CG), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Audi, has cautioned citizens against vandalising Critical National Infrastructure ahead of the proposed Aug. 1 protest.
The NSCDC Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja.
According to the PRO, Audi has directed all state Commandants and heads of various formations to be at alert and ensure the protection of national asset, before, during and after the protest.
Audi said, “ the NSCDC will not allow any act of violence, disruption of peace, law and order, destruction of properties, looting, vandalism of critical national assets and infrastructure amongst others.
“Any act of vandalism of these critical assets and infrastructure would have a debilitating effect on the economy of the nation.
“The Corps has, however, upscaled her intelligence and operational mechanism and is ready to combat any attack on government property.”
He urged Nigerian youths to refrain from being used by faceless anti-government individuals to disrupt the relative peace and security of the country.
“While we wish to acknowledge the constitutional rights of citizens to hold peaceful protests; indicators have shown that the proposed protests may be hijacked by desperate criminals and non-state actors.
“Notably, the present economic hardship is not limited to Nigeria alone; it is a global indicator that nations of the world are facing serious and critical economic downturn,” Audi said.
The CG called for cooperation and patience with the Federal Government through dialogue and non-violent engagements.
The NSCDC boss said that the Corps was working in synergy with other security agencies to stop any breakdown of law and order, state of anarchy, pandemonium, vandalism, robbery or breach of public peace