National Orientation Agency Identifies Sponsors of Nationwide Protests
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has identified the sponsors behind the planned nationwide protests scheduled to take place between August 1 and 10. These protests are reportedly in response to the rising cost of living and economic hardship in Nigeria.
In a statement on Thursday, Paul Odenyi, Deputy Director of Press at NOA, revealed that the agency has not only identified the sponsors but also pinpointed potential flashpoints for the demonstrations.
Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director-General of NOA, stated that the promoters of the protests aim to portray Nigeria as unstable to the international community. He urged the protest organizers to seek dialogue instead of resorting to disorder.
“The identities of many of the brains behind the protest have been known, along with their collaborators who are safely residing abroad, and the government is taking necessary actions to stop their subversive plans,” the statement read. “The intentions of the elements behind the planned protest are not about governance or the state of the economy but a decoy to destabilize the country, cause mayhem, and carry out arson, killings, and maiming of innocent citizens for narrow political reasons.”
Issa-Onilu emphasized the NOA’s ongoing efforts in civil intelligence gathering and sensitization of community leaders, parents, and youths across the 774 local government areas. These efforts aim to encourage vigilance and collective prevention of disorder.
On July 3, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had also reported that a “shadowy group” was organizing a protest against its operations. In response, NOA has mobilized 4,000 personnel nationwide to monitor the activities of the groups planning these protests.
The NOA calls for a united front to maintain peace and stability, urging all citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.
