Nigerian Air Force To Deploy Special Squadron To #EndBadGovernance Protests Across Lagos

The Nigerian Air Force has directed its personnel to dress in “woodland camouflage” ahead of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests and has sent a signal to deploy special squadrons to seize demonstration grounds across Lagos, according to a Peoples Gazette report.

This was disseminated in an internal memo reportedly ordering airmen to be on “woodland camouflage”, a combat uniform, purportedly to thwart attempts to break law and order during the protests days, starting August 1st to 10th, 2024.

According to the report, the signal was publicised on July 18, originating from “ATC/1617”, as it ordered Ikeja Air Force Base and others to be acquainted with and trained on “crowd dispersal scenarios” in line with extant military engagement rules.

Officers were asked to start wearing the camouflage from July 22 in the memo signed by Ibeabuchi VA and filed as LC/544/HQ. A moratorium was also imposed on administrative leaves and regular passes for service members until after the protests, underscoring the Tinubu administration’s fears about the consequences of the demonstrations on its reputation,” the report reads.

“They will hide under that influence and say thugs have hijacked the protests, so they have no other option than to open fire,” an official familiar with the detailed military plan reportedly told Peoples Gazette.

The nationwide planned protests have been marked as peaceful by the organisers despite the alleged plan of the Nigerian military.

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Mayowa Durosinmi

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M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

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