Anti-EFCC campaigns anticipated in Nigeria

● keep children in check, anti-graft agency cautions parents, university heads

By PHC Telegraph

Days after Kenyan security operatives forcefully quelled an uprising planned by suspected anti-democracy campaigners, anti-graft officials in Nigeria are warning that there are ploys to destabilize the nation through street processions. .

Whereas demonstrators targeted the legislature in Kenya, protesters in Nigeria are getting ready to storm EFCC formations across the country.

The Commission said in a statement issued Wednesday that it has obtained credible information which indicates  that members of a shadowy group that it did not disclose were getting ready to embark on street processions which may undermine Nigeria’s democracy and frustrate the fight against internet fraudsters.

The statement said the “EFCC wishes to alert the general public on the plan by a shadowy group to instigate a “protest” against the Commission.”

According to it, there have been moves by the group on social media to mobilise “impresionable 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 anti-graft body revealed.

It said there exists a clandestine plan by corrupt persons under investigation to sponsor an uprising through their cronies operating in parts of the country to forment trouble.

“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”, the organisation warned.

Assuring Nigerians that it is taking steps to forestall the actions of elements who are conspiring against the nation, the EFCC disclosed that it is “working in concert with sister security agencies” to deal “with possible threats to the peace and security of Nigeria.”

The Commission appealed to parents, guardians and heads of tertiary institutions “to take responsibility in ensuring that their wards are not recruited” and used “as cannon fodder in a proxy war” against it “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 imperiled if Nigeria degenerates further in global reckoning as a den of fraudsters”, the EFCC added.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari who has since returned Daura after handing over power to the Tinubu administration had alerted the country years ago about the ability of corruption to fight back.

“When you fight corruption, corruption fights back”, Buhari had been quoted as saying.

Based on intelligence reports pieced together by the EFCC, the planned protest may be exploited by other vested interests to undermine national interests and endanger the peace and security of the nation.

It is not clear if the warning issued by the body would be sufficient to introduce a change of plan by the protogonists of the planned protest.

It is however evident that some unscrupulous elements, especially in the police force who may not be working for the EFCC have been harassing Nigerian students who have the misfortune of owning computers and smart phones which are necessary in a digital age in pursuit of their academic dreams.

Within institutions of learning, these acts of intimidation on the streets by agents of state who ought to protect citizens is leading to widespread anger amongst parents and guardians whose children and wards have been harassed.

This might explain the decision by the EFCC to appeal to managers of tertiary schools not to allow students under their care to participate in the planned protest.