In a warning to protesters and dissidents, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Chris Musa, has declared that holding or waving foreign flags within Nigerian territory constitutes a treasonable offence.
The pronouncement came on Monday following a meeting between security chiefs and President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa addressing the ongoing unrest in the country.
CDS Musa, speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting on Monday, expressed grave concern over the display of foreign flags during recent protests in Kano and Kaduna States.
He reported that what began as peaceful protests has been exploited by criminals, resulting in widespread looting and theft.
Of particular concern to the military leadership was the appearance of foreign flags being flown within Nigerian territory, which Musa labelled as “totally unacceptable” and a “treasonable offence”.
He said: “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 happening.
“And besides, all of us have seen it where foreign flags have been waved 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 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 were committed to defending Nigeria’s democracy.
“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 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.
Gen. Musa revealed that authorities have 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.
According to him, “for those of them waving 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 who 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.”
Responding to allegations of military involvement in looting, Gen. Musa dismissed the claims as misconceptions, stating that a thorough investigation had cleared armed forces personnel of any such wrongdoing.
“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 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 falls 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, Nigerian 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,” he stated.
The CDS reiterated the military’s commitment to maintaining peace and tranquility in Nigeria, warning that those who have crossed “the red line” by displaying foreign flags will face prosecution.
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