Calling on Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, activist and human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has requested the withdrawal of soldiers deployed in the Federal Capital Territory and other cities in anticipation of the planned hunger protest.
Recent reports highlighted the increased presence of security personnel, including military forces, in the Federal Capital Territory ahead of the nationwide protests scheduled from August 1 to 10.
Although the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba, refuted claims that the deployment aimed to intimidate protesters, stating, “Troops have always been deployed across the country in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations. There is nothing new about that (deployment), please.”
However, Adeyanju, in a letter to the Chief of Army Staff, emphasized that ensuring security during protests falls under the jurisdiction of the police.
He pointed out that deploying soldiers for protests in Kenya and during the 2020 #EndSARS movement resulted in violent riots.
Adeyanju expressed, “We are writing as a pro-human rights law firm to bring to your notice the concerning deployment of Nigerian Army personnel in the Federal Capital Territory and other cities to suppress the planned national protest on August 1, 2024.
“It is the responsibility of the Nigerian Police Force, not the Nigerian Army, to ensure internal security, including protecting protesters during the scheduled demonstration.
Historically, involvement of the military in protests, like in the recent Kenya case, often escalates into deadly riots causing loss of lives and property.
“Based on these facts, we urge you to recall your personnel to the barracks to prevent any recurrence of the unfortunate incidents of soldiers killing protesters, as witnessed during EndSARS.”