President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to crack down on those flying the Russian flag on protest grounds in Nigeria.
The President’s order came as more Russian flags resurfaced on the streets of major Nigerian cities as the #EndBadGovernance protest entered its 5th day, despite the President’s warning about a coup.
Protesters wielding Russian flags were seen marching the streets and chanting different slogans while others carried placards.
A video on X showed protesters in Kaduna chanting in Hausa, “Welcome, Russia; Welcome, Russia” while waving the Russian flag.
Briefing State House correspondents after the National Security Council meeting, Gen. Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, said the service chiefs briefed the President on the current security situation in the country, adding that the briefing was necessitated by the ongoing nationwide protests, which resulted in violence in some states.
“Initially, when the protest started they said it was a peaceful protest but we have realised that there are individuals that are willing to take advantage of it to cause mayhem,” Musa said.
“And we can see clearly what has happened since it has commenced. Criminals have taken over with a lot of looting taking place, stealing and all sorts happening.”
According to him, the situation became more worrisome when foreign flags were flown within the sovereignty of Nigeria, a development he described as totally unacceptable.
“We are warning in clear terms and the President has also said we should convey this, that we will not accept anybody, any individual flying any foreign flag in Nigeria,” Gen. Musa declared.
“That is a treasonable offence, and it will be viewed and treated as such. So, nobody should allow himself to be used by any individual.”
Although he said those flying foreign flags were mainly children, he, however, pointed out that they were “being pushed to do so.”
“We’re following up with those who are sponsoring them. Some people are pushing them because the flags were also made. We have identified those behind it and we are going to take serious action against them,” Musa further warned.
“The President is clear on his instructions for us not to accept anyone that wants to disrupt the peace and tranquility of Nigeria.”
An Eastern power currently in a cold war with the West, among which is Britain, Nigeria’s colonial power, Russai has been fingered in the coup d’etats that took place in recent time in African countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, among others.
In his nationwide broadcast on Sunday (yesterday, August 4), President Bola Tinubu had asked protesters not to allow “enemies of democracy” to use them to overthrow his government.
Although the President didn’t make any reference to Russia in the broadcast, his warning about “enemies of democracy” has sparked some speculation on social media platforms.
However, General Musa assured that all the security agencies in the country were ready to defend democracy and the sovereignty of Nigeria.
“We will not accept anyone taking any action, for whatever reason to want to push for any change of government,” the CDS further warned.
“Democracy is what we stand for, democracy is what we will continue to defend,” the CDS added, recalling that he had earlier stated that the military would step in if the protests got out of hand.
“You can see that some subversive elements are pushing individuals to carry Russian flags in Nigeria; that is crossing the red line and we will not accept that.”
In the broadcast yesterday, Tinubu pleaded with the organisers of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest to suspend the action, lamenting that it had gone violent in some states with the attendant loss of lives and destruction of property, and warning that, as president, he would not sit and watch some people used by opposition politicians to truncate democracy in the country.
The Security Council meeting was attended by all the service chiefs, Vice President Kashim Shetima, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser, and Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police, among others. (Daily Trust/NAN)
