Nigeria
The governor noted that most protesters expressed their concerns peacefully, but the demonstration was taken over by thugs, who looted, destroyed property and harmed innocent people. AFP

Nigeria's Chief of Defense Staff Christopher Musa revealed Tuesday that the military and security agencies were targeting those calling for an undemocratic change of government.

Speaking at a combined news conference with the heads of security agencies and service chiefs at the Defense Headquarters in Abuja, Musa said he noted some protesters demanding regime changes were being sponsored, Premium Times reported.

He added that the military and security agencies were tracking down those protesters to hold them accountable for their actions against the regime. The 10-day planned protest started on Aug. 1, calling for economic and political changes, including reversing government policies.

"I want to appreciate Nigerians for their understanding, for their commitment to upholding the law and order," he said, Premium Times reported.

"We have had issues in the past few days, but you can see that people have seen reason for us not to continue with the destruction, to stop the looting, to stop giving opportunities for others to subvert our nation and to destroy our nation."

Musa also mentioned that many people were working together with security forces to improve Nigeria, assuring everyone that they were fully committed to the country.

He clarified that they were only targeting those who oppose the state, and emphasized that they will continue to work as a team to support the president in achieving peace and stability in Nigeria.

The Chief of Defense Staff also urged for calm, mediation, and dialogue to promote national unity and cohesion.

Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, also spoke during the conference and said the army's main job was to use its resources to handle protests that have turned into riots, aiming to ensure lasting peace in the country.

"I checked the number of patrols that troops conduct, the number of ambushes that are undertaken on a daily basis, the number of violent insurgents that have been eliminated, incapacitated and other indices, and it has not dropped by whatever measure," Lagbaja said.

"Also we have continued to expand the frontier of peace and security in Borno state. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are being returned to Kukawa and some other places as I speak to you, which are indices of return to peace and stability."

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