The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Mustapha, has declared that individuals flying Russian flags in Nigeria have committed a treasonable offence.
Speaking after an emergency security session with President Bola Tinubu at Aso Rock, the General vowed that the law would take its course against such actions.
“We wanted to brief Mr. President on the situation on the ground, and we know that since the riot started, all the security agencies have been working together,” General Mustapha stated.
He noted that while the riots began as peaceful protests, they have escalated into criminal activities, including looting and stealing.
“Initially, when the riot started, they said it was a peaceful one, but we have realised that there are individuals willing to take advantage of it to cause mayhem.”
Beginning on August 1, the #EndBadGovernance protests emerged from widespread discontent over economic conditions and government policies.
With thousands taking to the streets, demonstrators are demanding urgent government intervention to address the soaring cost of living and other socio-economic issues.
Several violent incidents, including deaths and looting, have marred the protests, intensifying the tense situation and prompting calls for an end to the protests.
While the Northern parts of the country have been rocked by the incidents of violence and arson, the South East and South West have largely experienced peaceful rallies.
General Mustapha emphasised the seriousness of the situation where foreign flags, particularly Russian flags, have been flown within Nigeria’s sovereign territory.
“And besides, all of us have seen it where foreign flags have been flown within the sovereignty of Nigeria, and that is totally unacceptable,” he said.
“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.
That is a treasonable offence, and it will be viewed and treated as such.”
The General expressed concern over the involvement of young individuals in these activities, often pushed by unknown sponsors.
“For those of them flying flags, and if you’ll see, a lot of them are kids being pushed to do that. We’re following up with those who are sponsoring them.
“Those are pushing them because, you know, the flags were also made.
“We have identified those areas and we are going to take serious action against that,” he added.
General Mustapha reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability in Nigeria.
“The President is clear on his instructions for us not to accept anyone that wants to disrupt the peace and tranquillity of Nigeria,” he emphasised.
“We are all standing here together to show Nigerians that we’re working closely, we are working together with synergy to ensure that there’s still peace and tranquillity in Nigeria that we have assured Mr. President.”
He also highlighted the military’s readiness to intervene if the situation escalates
“We’ve said that clearly that the military is going to step in when it is out of hand, and you can see that for people supervising elements to push individuals to carry Russian flags in Nigeria, Nigeria sovereignty, that is crossing the red line and we will not accept that.
“And those ones who have done that will go in for the books and they want to be prosecuted.”
