The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says security agents have received intelligence of a Senator sponsoring the #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protests against the government.
The minister stated this at a press briefing, following a security meeting with heads of security agencies in Abuja, on Thursday.
PUNCH Online reports that the scheduled protests began today in Abuja and in several parts of the country despite calls by government officials for citizens to shun the protests.
Wike said the Senator, whom he said would be invited in due time for questioning by relevant agencies, took security agents with him 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.
“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,” he said.
The minister again called for protesters to obey the court order restricting them to the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, noting the violence and killings that had occurred in other parts of the country on the first day of the protest.
He disclosed that the security agencies also had intelligence that miscreants planned to hijack the protest to destroy properties tomorrow, stating, however, that security operatives would not allow it.
“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.
“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.