The Nigerian military has said that the hunger protest has been hijacked by criminals and expressed concern at the dangers it poses to the nation.
In a warning to protesters and dissidents on Monday, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Chris Musa, has declared that waving foreign flags within Nigerian territory constitutes a treasonable offence.
This pronouncement came following a meeting between security chiefs and President Bola Tinubu at the presidential Villa, Abuja, in which they discussed the ongoing unrest in the country.
CDS Musa, speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, expressed grave concern over the display of foreign flags during recent protests.
He lamented that what began as a peaceful protest has been exploited by criminals, resulting in widespread looting and theft.
Of particular concern to the military leadership is foreign flags being waved on Nigerian territory, which Musa labelled as “totally unacceptable” and a “treasonable offence.”
RELATED: Russia Dissociates From Nigerian Protesters Waving Its Flag
He said, “We wanted to brief Mr President on the situation on the ground. 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 happening.
“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 waving any foreign flag in Nigeria.
“That is a treasonable offence, and it will be viewed and treated as such. So nobody shall allow himself to be used by any individual.”
The CDS also addressed rumours of potential coups, firmly asserting that all security agencies are committed to defending Nigeria’s democracy.
“Also the issue of coups, Nigeria is a sovereign 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,” he added.
Musa revealed that the authorities had identified individuals responsible for manufacturing and distributing foreign flags, many of whom are reportedly using children to carry out these activities.
He promised “serious action” against those orchestrating these efforts.
”For those of them carrying 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. We have identified those areas and we are going to take serious action against them.
“The president is clear on his instructions for us not to accept anyone that wants to disrupt the peace and tranquility of Nigeria.”
Responding to allegations of military involvement in looting, Musa dismissed the claims as misconceptions, stating that a thorough investigation had cleared armed forces personnel of any such wrongdoing.
He gave assurance that the military would have to step in to maintain internal peace if the protest got out of hand.
“We’ve said 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 who have done that will go in for it and they will be prosecuted,” he stated.
Kaduna
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Security Council has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna and Zaria metropolitan cities with immediate effect following the outbreak of protests on Monday.
A statement issued by the overseeing commissioner of the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, advised citizens to remain indoors while security forces continue to work to maintain safety and security.
According to the statement, there is sufficient evidence to indicate that the ongoing protest has been hijacked by criminal elements who have resorted to looting shops and destroying private and public property.
However, youths came out in large numbers on Monday carrying placards and protesting the hardship in the country, with a number of them sighted carrying Russian flags.
The protest was hijacked by hoodlums who attacked facilities, including a bank located in Tudun Wada where vehicles of staff packed within the bank’s premises were destroyed and valuable items stolen.
However, following the 24-hour curfew imposed by Governor Uba Sani, normalcy has returned to the streets as security personnel wearing red bands on their arms have successfully dispersed the hoodlums who engaged in vandalising and looting.
LEADERSHIP recalls that 25 of such hoodlums who attacked government facilities on the first day of the protest were arrested.
Our correspondent, who monitored the protest and narrowly escaped being attacked by the hoodlums, reports that if not for the proactive steps taken by the government with the immediate imposition of the curfew, the situation may have resulted in more violence.
Meanwhile, the protest was only within Kaduna North and some parts of the Kaduna Central that borders Kaduna North; Southern Kaduna was relatively peaceful.
The streets of the Kaduna metropolis were deserted shortly after the curfew imposed on the Kaduna and Zaria Metropolitan areas. Some Kaduna residents who spoke to our correspondents commended the governor for imposing the curfew.
Zamfara protesters wave Russia Flags
In Zamfara, protesters in their thousands defied security operatives and took to the streets of Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State, waving Russian flags and calling on President Vladimir Putin to come to the rescue of the Nigerian masses.
Early in the morning, the protesters came out from all parts of Gusau town, carrying tree leaves and Russian flags, chanting different slogans to indicate their grievances against the Nigerian government.
When our correspondent interviewed most of the protesters, they said they carried the Russian flags to indicate the country’s grievances and that they needed an urgent response from President Putin to rescue the country from its present predicament.
However, security agencies comprising the military, police, and civil defence, among others, were in good numbers across the state to maintain law and order.
Curfew In Bauchi After Protesters Destroyed Govt House, Ex-Deputy Governor’s Residence
In an attempt to tackle the rising destruction of property in Azare as the result of the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest, the Bauchi State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Azare in Katagum local government area.
LEADERSHIP gathered the curfew came after protesters destroyed a government lodge, commonly referred to Azare Government House, and the residence of the immediate past deputy governor of the state, Baba Tela.
A resident of Azare who pleaded for anonymity said the protesters also went to Katagum local government secretariat but he did not have details about the extent of damage.
Russia Distances Self From Protesters Using Its Flag
The Russian Federation has distanced itself from Nigerian protesters using its flags and other symbols of the Russian state to show their anger against the policies of President Bola Tinubu amid the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests that hit Nigerian cities from August 1.
A statement issued on Monday by the Russian Embassy in Abuja denied involvement in the use of those symbols, stressing that Russia does not interfere in the internal affairs of any country.
