Protest: FG must be decisive against foreign mercenary, says FFK

A former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has called on the Federal Government (FG) to be swift, strong and decisive in dealing with any foreign mercenary that tries to create havoc during the planned protest against hunger scheduled for August 1, 2024.

Fani-Kayode made this call on Monday in a statement he shared on his X account, adding that the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Canada, European Union (EU) and a number of other foreign powers are issuing travel advisories to their people not to come to Nigeria at this time and are suggesting there may be violence in the country in the next few days.

“Our government must be swift, strong and decisive in this matter and must desist from making unnecessary appeals to those who do not wish us well,” he said.

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“We must stand firm with a strong resolve and eyeball to eyeball against both the enemy within and without knowing that God is with us.

“We must not be cowed by the threats and noise of the opposition and those who wish to disturb our peace and scatter our country and we must not be found wanting in protecting and securing the lives and properties of the Nigerian people no matter what comes our way over the next few days and weeks.

“That is our sacred duty and oath as the ruling party and I have no doubt that our leader President Bola Tinubu will not be found wanting in this respect.”

Fani-Kayode said Tinubu has the full support of Nigerians and he has no doubt that, whatever the enemy is planning against Nigeria, the country shall prevail.

He added that whatever the evil expectations of the foreign mercenary are for Nigerians and the nation will fail and we shall surely come out of this turbulent period stronger and better!

FFK said this following a statement by the Inspector General of Police IGP Kayode Egbetokun, alleging that foreign mercenaries have been drafted into the country to forment trouble and take advantage of the planned demonstrations.

“To that I say the following: the blood of the Nigerian people is sacred and must not be shed lightly but any foreign mercenary that has been sent to our country to create havoc, destabilise our nation, destroy our property, kill our people or engage themselves in any form of violence or armed insurrection should be speedily despatched to hell by our security forces and sent back to their respective nations in body bags whilst their local collaborators are arrested for treason and brought to justice in our courts,” Fani-Kayode said.

“Nigeria has come of age and the days of using local malcontents, unpatriotic elements, treacherous and traitorous players, malevolent forces, failed politicians, irresponsible activists, frustrated rascals and foreign intelligence agencies to undermine our sovereignty, hamstring our independence and negate our stability are long over.

“We shall not bow our heads or bend the knee to foreign powers who wish to disturb our peace, create panic and chaos in our nation, divide us, destroy us and truncate our democracy by sponsoring riots and violent demonstrations.