From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has given matching orders to the nation’s security chiefs to after sponsors of individuals flying Russian Flag in the country as well as coup mongers.
Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, made the disclosure after the nation’s military security apparatchik briefed the President on the ongoing #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests at the State House, Presidential Villa.
Briefing State House Correspondents at the end of the meeting, in a stern warning, Musa stated that the Nigerian military will not tolerate the flying of foreign flags within the country during the ongoing #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests. He emphasised that this act is considered treasonable and will be treated as such by the authorities.
“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 treasonable offense, and it will be viewed and treated as such,” Musa said during a press briefing.
The CDS stressed that the military will not allow individuals to be used by others for such purposes, and that anyone caught engaging in this act will face severe consequences.
Musa’s statement comes amid concerns over the escalation of the protests, which have seen instances of looting, destruction of property, and the involvement of criminal elements.The military has vowed to intervene if the situation deteriorates further.
The CDS while highlighting the shift from initially peaceful protests to widespread criminal activity, noted that the situation has deteriorated, with looting and chaos taking over the protests. “Initially, when the riot (protests) started, it was described as peaceful, but we have realized that individuals are willing to exploit it to cause mayhem,” he stated.
He emphasised that the security agencies are united, asserting that they are prepared to take action to restore order.
Musa warned that the security agencies will not tolerate further destruction and will intervene if necessary. “The armed forces and the entire security agencies will not stand by and see our country destroyed,” he declared, urging citizens to support the government’s efforts to maintain peace.
Musa said: “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 ones that are sponsoring them, those that 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.
“The President is clear on his instructions for us not to accept anyone that wants to disrupt the peace and tranquility of Nigeria. And 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 tranquility in Nigeria, that we have assured Mr. President.”
The CDS reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to democracy, declaring that the military will not tolerate any attempts to undermine the nation’s sovereignty through coups or other unlawful actions.
Musa emphasised that Nigeria is a sovereign and democratic nation, with all security agencies dedicated to defending democracy and ensuring its continued success.
“Also the issue of coups, Nigeria is a sovereign nation, Nigeria is a democratic nation all security agencies are here to defend democracy and ensure that democracy continues to thrive.
“We will not accept anyone pushing or taking any action, seemingly or for whatever reason to want to push for any change of government. Democracy is what we stand for democracy is what will continue to defend,” he stated.
Highlighting the importance of democratic values, Musa reiterated, “Democracy is what we stand for, and democracy is what we will continue to defend.”
Asked if the military will step in, Musa emphasised that the military has clearly stated it will intervene if the situation spirals out of control. He again addressed the issue of individuals being pushed to carry Russian flags, which he described as crossing a red line.
“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,” he said.
The CDS warned that those involved in this act will face legal consequences. “And those ones who have done that will go in for the books and they will be prosecuted,” he stated.
When asked if the military has identified any of the individuals responsible, Musa responded, “I’m sure you have seen them on TV so the TV will show because that is enough for you to see.”
He said: “Also on the issue of coups, Nigeria is a sovereign nation, Nigeria is a democratic nation, all security agencies are here to defend democracy and ensure that democracy continues to strive. We will not accept anyone pushing or taking any action, seemingly or for whatever reason to want to push for any change of government.
“Democracy is what we stand for democracy is what will continue to defend.”
In response to recent allegations that soldiers participated in looting during the ongoing protests, Musa clarified that these claims are unfounded and based on misconceptions.
He said, “We have investigated thoroughly, and there is nothing to support the idea that any member of the Armed Forces was involved in such activities.” He emphasized that soldiers were present to restore order and clear areas of unrest, not to engage in criminal behaviour.
He said, “I think it has been cleared, I think it was also a misconception. They actually have seen those things and they wanted to clear them away from that area and that’s what was done. We have investigated throughly, the Chief of army Staff is here, we have investigated thoroughly and there is nothing like such no member of the Armed Forces fall into doing that. And it’s very clear.”
At the meeting were Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
Other security agency heads in attendance were Chief of Army Staff (CAS), Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Naval Staff: Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of Air Staff: Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, as well as the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.
Also in the meeting are the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Yusuf Bichi; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Col Adewale Adeniyi; as well as the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nanna Nandap.