Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle has expressed concerns over the upcoming nationwide protest scheduled for August 1-10, 2024, criticizing the anonymity of its organizers. In a statement released on Thursday by Henshaw Ogubike, Director of Information at the Ministry of Defence, Matawalle challenged the protest leaders to reveal their identities.

Matawalle described the anonymity of the protest organizers as “strange and ominous,” questioning their motives and calling for transparency. His comments come amid warnings from security agencies about the protests, which are in response to widespread economic hardship in Nigeria.

The Minister urged Nigerians to remain calm and to disregard the planned protest. He emphasized that while peaceful protests are constitutionally protected, violence and destruction are not acceptable. Matawalle underscored that Nigeria’s laws, as well as international conventions, prohibit violent assemblies and aim to protect national security, public safety, and order.

He further cautioned against attempts to replicate unrest similar to that seen in Kenya, stating, “Those moving to unleash the Kenyan episode on Nigeria should reconsider. Such actions would only set us back and undermine our progress.”

Matawalle called for collective responsibility in maintaining national peace and unity, reassuring citizens of the Federal Government’s willingness to address concerns through constructive dialogue.