The Nigerian Army has strongly condemned the recent attack on troops and patrol vehicles amid a protest along the Lafia-Makurdi Road in Nasarawa State. The protest stemmed from the outcome of the Court of Appeal's ruling on the state's gubernatorial election and resulted in the blockage of a major highway, causing significant disruption to traffic flow and violent incidents targeting troops and their vehicles.
Expressing deep concern, the Nigerian Army highlighted the distressing turn of events as protesters not only obstructed the highway but also attacked patrol vehicles transporting troops on legitimate duty. Disturbingly, the protesters have since made baseless allegations, claiming that troops intentionally collided with them. However, video evidence and images from the protest indicate that troops professionally managed the crowd, prioritizing the safety of citizens and safeguarding public infrastructure.
While acknowledging the citizens' rights to express grievances through peaceful protests, the Nigerian Army underscored the importance of conducting such demonstrations lawfully and ensuring the safety of all involved. Emphasizing that resorting to violence, vandalism, or assaulting security personnel contradicts the principles of peaceful protests, the Army stressed the need for adherence to lawful and non-violent methods of expressing dissent.
The troops were deployed to uphold law and order, safeguard citizens' safety, including that of the protesters, and protect public infrastructure. Acting within strict rules of engagement, their primary objective was to prevent the escalation of violence and maintain peace. The Army condemned the protesters' actions of pelting stones at troops and attacking patrol vehicles, which endangered lives and disrupted the peaceful nature of the protest.
Calling for restraint and urging constructive dialogue, the Nigerian Army urged all involved in protests to refrain from violence, emphasizing that it hampers progress toward resolving grievances. The Army also called upon community leaders, religious figures, and stakeholders to actively promote peace and harmony within their communities.
Reaffirming their commitment to safeguarding citizens and remaining apolitical, the Nigerian Army assured the public of their dedication to collaboration with other security agencies to ensure the safety and security of Nasarawa State and the entire nation. They emphasized a zero-tolerance policy toward violence and called for responsible reporting by the media and the public to maintain accuracy and fairness in disseminating information.
In a plea for collective efforts to build a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria, the Nigerian Army encouraged unity and cooperation among citizens to foster a harmonious society.