Protest: Tinubu orders security crackdown on flying of Russian flags

President Bola Tinubu has instructed security agencies to take strict action against individuals displaying Russian flags in the country.

This directive was issued following a National Security Council meeting, as announced by Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa.

The meeting, which included briefings from service chiefs on the current security landscape, was convened in response to recent nationwide protests that have escalated into violence in several states.

“Initially, when the protest started, they said it was a peaceful protest, but we have realised that there are individuals willing to take advantage of it to cause mayhem.

“And we can see clearly what has happened since it commenced. Criminals have taken over, with a lot of looting, stealing, and all sorts happening,” he said.

He said the situation became worrisome as foreign flags were flown within Nigeria’s sovereignty, and that was totally unacceptable.

“We are warning in clear terms, and the President has also said we should convey this: 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. So, nobody should allow himself to be used by any individual,” said the general.

He said those flying foreign flags were mainly children who 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.

“The President is clear in his instructions that we do not accept anyone who wants to disrupt the peace and tranquillity of Nigeria,” he said.

He said all security agencies were ready to defend democracy and the nation’s sovereignty.

“We will not accept anyone taking any action, for whatever reason, to want to push for any change of government.

“Democracy is what we stand for; democracy is what we will continue to defend,” he said.

The CDS said 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 a national broadcast on Sunday, President Tinubu pleaded with the organisers of the nationwide protest to suspend the action as it had gone violent in some states with the attendant loss of lives and destruction of property.

He also warned that he would not sit and watch some people used by opposition politicians to truncate democracy in the country.

All the service chiefs, including Vice President Kashim Shetima, Mr Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser, and Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police, attended the meeting.

NAN