By Alexandra Dominic-Chukwu

Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has warned Nigerians to stop making ‘unwarranted’ and ‘unguarded statements’ against President BolaTinubu’s government over insecurity and rising food prices, noting that it will have consequences should they continue.

In a statement by the ministry of defence spokesperson, Henshaw Ogubike, on Friday, Matawalle “cautioned Nigerians against using inflammatory comments against the government.“

He said, “Unguarded utterances coming from some sections of the populace are incisive and destructive and can exacerbate tensions and lead to violence in our beloved nation.”

Matawalle said Pres Tinubu “is trying his best in tackling the economic challenges being experienced by Nigerians. The President and his team are tirelessly working to alleviate the burdens on the Nigerian populace, advising the agents of disunity to refrain from further unwarranted utterances, as such will have consequences.”

His warning came on the heels of anger over economic hardship and rising food prices.

The National Bureau of Statistics reported that the country’s inflation rate increased to 29.90 per cent in January 2024 from 28.92 per cent recorded in December 2023.

Last week, in Niger, Kano, Osun states, Nigerians protested against the high cost of food, while the Nigerian Labour Congress declared a two-day nationwide protest over the issue.

In his response, Tinubu directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to release about 42,000 metric tonnes of grain, including maize, millet and garri across the country.

On Thursday, the President directed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, State Security Service and the Nigeria Police to go after food hoarders.

The International Monetary Fund in a summary of its assessment of the Nigerian economy lauded Mr Tinubu’s release of “cereals from the grain reserve, provided subsidised fertiliser to farmers,” amongst others as measures “to ease the impact of rapidly rising inflation on living conditions.”

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