The Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS), has placed the sponsors of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest on its watchlist.
This was disclosed by the Comptroller-General, Kemi Nandap, yesterday, at Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
Nandap said that these individuals, who are in the diaspora, would be arrested immediately upon their arrival in Nigeria.
She made this statement following a strategic meeting convened by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, yesterday.
The Defence Chief, along with other intelligence and paramilitary agency heads, held a closed-door meeting to implement President Bola Tinubu’s crackdown order.
Speaking to journalists, Nandap said, “We have diaspora sponsors on our watchlist. Any attempt they make to enter the country will be detected, and they will be apprehended and handed over to the appropriate authority.”
She also mentioned that the NIS has deployed additional officers to land borders and airports to ensure effective monitoring of entry and exit points.
According to her, the Service has increased surveillance to prevent foreign intervention in the country.
The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, also revealed that the agency had identified some sponsors but declined to provide further details. Represented by DSS spokesman Peter Afunanya, Bichi noted that some bank accounts have been blocked, and those operating these accounts from abroad are being monitored.
…We’re Only After Enemies Of Nigeria – CDS
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has said that the military and security agencies are after those behind the call for undemocratic change of government. Musa said this, yesterday, during a combined news conference by the heads of security agencies and Service Chiefs at the Defense Headquarters.
He said the military knew that some protesters calling for regime changes were sponsored, adding that the military and other security agencies were trailing them to bring them to book.
“I want to appreciate Nigerians for their understanding, for their commitment to upholding the law and order.
“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.
“They have also seen reasons to join hands together with the security forces to make Nigeria better.
“We want to assure them that we are fully committed to Nigeria, we love the country, we are mindful of the fact that we have been equipped and so we are duty bound to protect the country. “We are only after those that are against the states, not those that are innocent.
“So I want to make that very clear and we will continue to work together as a team to support Mr. President in achieving his mandate of peace and tranquility in our dear country Nigeria,” he said.
The CDS called for the collaboration of all other agencies to ensure that they achieved success and called for calm, mediation, discussion, dialogue towards national unity and cohesion as one great country. He said the Nigerian military was people centric in all its activities, adding they were not interested in anybody being killed or injured or being prosecuted, except those that have crossed the line.
He said the joint news conference was an opportunity to show that the military and all the security agencies were working as a team in line with the mandate of the president.
“So this morning we’re here to give you some brief on the issue on ground, what we are doing, and then to have interactions with members of the Media,” he added.
On his part, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. TaoreedLagbaja, said the main operational commitment of the army was to deploy resources to combat the protests that have turned riots to ensure sustainable peace in the country. Lagbaja said the army under his command was more concerned about bringing the country to a state of sustainable peace and security, adding that attention had not been diverted from its main operational commitment in combating terrorism and banditry.
“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. “Also we have continued to expand the frontier of peace and security in Borno state.
“Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) are being returned back to Kukawa and some other places as I speak to you, which are indices of return to peace and stability.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, said the navy had continued to work with other services and security agencies to ensure safety and security in the maritime domain. (NAN)
