The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, revealed that security agents have intelligence indicating that a Senator is sponsoring the #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protests against the government.
Wike made this statement during a press briefing following a security meeting with heads of security agencies in Abuja on Thursday.
According to PUNCH Online, the protests began today in Abuja and several other parts of the country, despite calls from government officials for citizens to avoid participating.
Wike stated that the Senator, who will be summoned for questioning by relevant agencies, was accompanied by security agents to deliver food to the protesters.
“Now we also have intelligence that a senator had to invite some security agencies to lead some of them to go and provide food for the protesters. That is sponsorship,” Wike said. “A senator providing food for protesters. At the appropriate time, security agencies will invite the senator and find out how you will be sponsoring this kind of thing against the government of the day.”
Wike reiterated the need for protesters to comply with the court order limiting them to the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, citing violence and deaths in other parts of the country on the first day of the protests.
He also disclosed that security agencies had intelligence about miscreants planning to hijack the protests to destroy properties the following day, and assured that security operatives would prevent this.
“We believe that this is a democratic government and so we must act according to the rule of law. We also believe that this protest is their entitlement so that the government can address the issues raised. Obeying the rule of law is obeying court orders,” Wike said.
“You saw what happened today when some people tried to move into Eagle Square. Miscreants may not have succeeded in what they wanted to do, but we have intelligence that they are coming out tomorrow to destroy property that will lead to loss of lives.
“The security agencies will not allow that. Every protester, please, go to the MKO Abiola stadium and do your protest. That is what the court said,” he declared.
