CDS warns Nigerians calling for coup over economic hardship

By Raphael Innocent

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has warned people calling for a coup over the current economic hardship in Nigeria, insisting that the Armed Forces would continue to protect the country’s democracy.

Musa said the long arms of the law would soon catch up with the proponents of coup d’état.

While fielding questions from journalists when he inaugurated the main entrance of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army and Officers Transit Accommodation in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the CDS admitted that the country was going through serious economic challenges.

He, however, insisted that having a military coup in the country was not an option, reiterating that the military would protect Nigeria’s democracy.

The CDS said Nigerians want democracy and that the country does better under democracy.

He added that the people calling for coup d’etat “are evil people” who “don’t mean well for Nigeria”, warning them to be very careful because the law would go after them.

According to him, you can see the government is putting efforts to ensure that we come out better.

“And it is when you go through difficulties and come out better you will really appreciate what it is to build a nation,” he said.

Nigeria’s economic woes continue to deepen as the Naira on Wednesday crashed to a record low against the dollar on the official market, with reports revealing that the naira now exchanged for N1980 to $1 on the parallel market and N1780 on the official market as the decline continued amid the government’s clampdown on currency speculators.

Across the country also, there have been pockets of protests against the present hardship, rising inflation and high cost of living following some economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration including the floating of the naira, removal of fuel subsid and continued border cloaure to importation of certain commodities capable of stemming the tide of inflation.