By Chukwuemeka Umesi
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Nigeria is on the precipice of chaos as the military has threatened to intervene in the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests, which have seen widespread violence, looting, and arrests. The protests, which began on Thursday, have been marked by clashes between demonstrators and security forces, resulting in at least 17 deaths and many more injuries.The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, warned that the military would step in to control the looting and violence being witnessed in some parts of the country. “The Armed Forces and the entire security agencies will not stand by and see that to continue. We want to warn those that are recalcitrant; those that don’t want to listen that we will not fold our arms and allow this country to be destroyed,” he said during a press conference in Abuja.Gen. Musa noted that while he was aware of the “grievances” of the protesters on the challenging economic difficulties in the country, they must show understanding. He appealed to Nigerians to be united during “these trying times” and cautioned against looting and vandalization of property. The defence chief decried the destruction of valuables during the nationwide protests, describing it as “crazy.”The protests, which started on Thursday, have seen businesses and banks shut, while major roads were deserted. The situation took a turn for the worse on Friday, as police arrested over 1,100 protesters and injured many more. In Abuja, protesters were dispersed with tear gas and live ammunition, forcing many to flee into nearby bushes to escape the violence.Despite the crackdown, protesters have vowed to continue their demands for better governance and an end to corruption. “We will take action and the action we will take, we will take it professionally. Anyone that is caught will be taken to court and will be dealt with,” Gen. Musa added.The police have been accused of using excessive force against protesters, with many injured and arrested. “There are a bunch of people who believe that it is only through this medium that they will be able to loot, steal and destroy. And that is what they tried to do yesterday but we have arrested most of them that broke into places to steal and they will be prosecuted accordingly,” Gen. Musa said.Protesters have criticized the police, saying they will not be intimidated. “If the President had listened to Nigerians earlier, the situation would not have escalated,” said Michael Zayi, a protester. “We are committed to demanding better lives for all citizens despite the use of force.”The international community has called for restraint and dialogue, but it remains to be seen if the government will heed these calls. The situation remains volatile, and it is unclear how events will unfold in the coming days.