Desist from planned protest - DHQ tells military pensioners

- The Defence Headquarters urges organisers of a planned protest to get the legal permit from the Nigerian police before embarking on their protest

- The military advises pensioners involved in the planned protest to remain law abiding

- Nigerians accuse the army of trying to bully the military retirees over the planned protest

Anger has trailed a warning sent by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) to a group of military pensioners about a planned protest scheduled to take place in Abuja on September 13, 2017.

READ ALSO: IPOB members allegedly attack Hausa community in Rivers (photos/video)

The DHQ in a statement on Tuesday, September 12, told the organisers of the protest to get the legal permit from the Nigerian police before embarking on the protest to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

The statement also advised pensioners involved in the planned protest to desist and remain law abiding.

The army called on the military retirees to seek redress through the appropriate organs of ex-servicemen and Armed Forces of Nigeria.

See the full statement by the Defence Headquarters below:

"The Defence Headquarters has been informed of the planned protest tagged “LIBERATION” by a group of military pensioners, on 13 September 2017, in Abuja.

"In this regard, the group is advised to get the legal permit from the Nigerian Police before embarking on such an exercise. This is to forestall any breakdown of law, order and breach of the peace.

"Objectively, the Defence Headquarters hereby advice the group of military pensioners involved in this plan, to desist and remain law abiding. The group is further adjured to explore the available channels of seeking redress through the appropriate organs/establishments of ex-servicemen and Armed Forces of Nigeria.

"This is for the information and necessary action of all military pensioners. It is equally for the awareness of the general public."

But in reaction to the statement, some Nigerians accused the army of trying to bully the military retirees into abandoning the protest.

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They said the pensioners had the right to protest and that it would be unprofessional for the army to stop them from exercising their rights.

See some reaction to the issue below:

Meanwhile, reports monitored by Legit.ng suggests that there is apprehension within government circles in Abia state that the ongoing clash between IPOB youths and the Nigerian Military might prompt the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the state.

Legit.ng gathered that this may have informed the dusk to dawn curfew announced by the state governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu on Tuesday, September 12.

Reliable sources say there has been influx of youths, suspected to be members of IPOB in the state, who are said to be heading to the home town of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to form a human shield around him.

Watch a Legit.ng TV interview with IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu's lawyer about the military invasion of his client's residence.

Source: Legit.ng