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Says bearing of Russian flags is treason
By Egena Sunday Ode
The National Security Council, NSC, rose from a meeting on Monday with a warning that it will not accept any push for change of government in the country.
The meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, was called amid nationwide protests over the ravaging hunger and poor state of the economy occasioned by government policies.
Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, the Chief Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, warned that bearing of foreign flags as done by some protesters is a treasonable offence.
He specificaly warned that the protesters who were displaying Russian flags and their sponsors would be fished out and charged for treason, describing the act as unacceptable.
He said: “And besides, all of us have seen it where foreign flags have been flown within the sovereignty of Nigeria, and that is 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. That is treasonable offense, and it will be viewed and treated as such. So nobody shall allow himself to be used by any individual.
“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.
“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 who 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.”
General Musa said the Armed forces believe in democracy and would continue to defend it.
He said President Bola Tinubu was unambiguous in his order to the security agencies on the need to ensure the peace and stability of the country.
“Democracy is what we stand for, democracy is what we will continue to defend.
“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,” he said.
The CDS regretted that the protests which started peacefully were hijacked by criminals who turned them to opportunities for looting and causing mayhem.
He also stated the purpose of the meeting:
“We wanted to brief Mr President on the situation on ground and we know that since the riot has started all the security agencies you can see all of us together.
“Initially, when the riot started, they said it was a peaceful riot but we have realised that there are individuals that are willing to take advantage of it to cause mayhem. And we can see clearly what has happened since it has commenced. Criminals have taken over, a lot of looting taking place, stealing and all sorts happenings.”
Answering a question on the allegations that soldiers partook in the looting in some states, General Musa dismissed the accusations as false.
He said the soldiers were only out to assist the police whoever the situation got out of hand.
He said: “No. 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 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 he’s very clear.
“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 will be prosecuted.”
