The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has raised the alarm that foreign mercenaries are involved in the planned nationwide protest.
Egbetokun made this known in Abuja on Friday at a press conference, saying the police got the revelation through credible intelligence.
Recall that in the past few days, there have been reports of a youth-led planned nationwide protest over the economic hardship in the country.
The planned protest by faceless organizers has been slated to commence on August 1.
Meanwhile, the federal and state governments, including President Bola Tinubu, have pleaded with the youths to shelve the planned protest.
Religious and traditional institutions have also appealed for the cancellation of the planned demonstration.
On their parts, the military and the Department of State Services, DSS, said there are indications that the protest would be hijacked to perpetuate violence.
The IGP warned that a peaceful protest in the country at the moment may be ill-timed.
“We note those who have spoken out against any form of protest at this critical juncture, fearing enemies of our country may be manipulating the process.
“We confirm that their fears are genuine, as we have credible intelligence of foreign mercenaries’ involvement in this planned protest.
“The Nigeria Police urge Nigerians to exercise caution and think twice before joining any protest group while we alert citizens to the sinister motive of certain groups planning to wreak havoc.
“It has become clear that even a peaceful protest at this time may be ill-timed.
“We issue a strong warning to clandestine groups planning to destabilise the country and hoodlums seeking to exploit the protest for their criminal agenda,” he said.
According to him, the police acknowledged the constitutional right of Nigerians to peaceful assembly, adding that the police will provide security cover during the protest.
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