Planned protest against EFCC threat to Nigeria’s peace, security, says spokesman

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has raised the alarm on a planned demonstration against the anti-graft agency.

EFCC spokesman, dele Oyewale, in a statement on Wednesday said the “shadowy group” who was planning the protest had been “recruiting impressionable young Nigerians, including students to take up arms against the EFCC.”

He warned parents, guardians and heads of tertiary institutions to take responsibility in ensuring that their wards and students were not recruited to be used as cannon fodder in a “proxy war against the Commission by vested corrupt interests.”

The statement reads, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, wishes to alert the general public on the plan by a shadowy group to instigate a “protest” against the Commission.

“In the last couple of days, the group has been actively campaigning in the social media, recruiting impressionable young Nigerians, including students to take up “arms” against the EFCC.

“This insidious campaign is being promoted as resistance to the operational activities of the Commission especially in respect of the enforcement of the laws dealing with cybercrimes.

“The Commission, while not averse to protests by citizens, is alarmed by  emerging evidence that  suggest a grand design by corrupt elements under investigation or prosecution by the Commission to  exploit the so-called protest to orchestrate a national uprising that may threaten the peace and security of our dear nation.

“As a responsible law enforcement organisation, the Commission will not tolerate any breakdown of law and order anywhere in the country especially around its office locations across Nigeria.

“EFCC, working in concert with sister security agencies, is therefore taking necessary measures to deal with possible threats to the peace and security of Nigeria.

“The Commission, however, appeals to parents, guardians and heads of tertiary institutions to take responsibility in ensuring that their wards are not recruited to be used as cannon fodder in a proxy war against the Commission by vested corrupt interests.

“The war being waged by the Commission against corruption and cybercrime is to protect the future of the youth of this country. That future is imperilled if Nigeria degenerates further in global reckoning as a den of fraudsters.”