Amidst ongoing nationwide protests against hunger and poor governance, President Bola Tinubu held a National Security Council meeting to address security threats in Nigeria.
The meeting, which took place in the President’s office at the State House in Abuja, focused on the alarming trend of protesters hoisting the Russian flag in some northern states.
At the end of the meeting, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa briefed State House correspondents, declaring the act of hoisting foreign flags in Nigeria a treasonable offense.
“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 a treasonable offense, and it will be viewed and treated as such,” General Musa stated.
Protesters in Kano, Kaduna, Zamfara, and Plateau states began hoisting the Russian flag last Saturday, leading to a stern response from the government. General Musa emphasized that those responsible for this act would face severe legal consequences.
“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 sponsoring them,” he said.
The CDS also addressed rumors of a possible coup, assuring the public that the military remains committed to defending democracy.
General Musa affirmed, “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 to want to push for any change of government. Democracy is what we stand for, democracy is what we will continue to defend.”
Responding to allegations that some soldiers participated in the looting during the protests, General Musa clarified that the military had investigated the claims and found no evidence of such behavior.
“We have investigated thoroughly, the Chief of Army Staff is here. We have investigated thoroughly and there is nothing like such. No member of the Armed Forces fell into doing that,” he explained.
General Musa reiterated that the military would intervene if the protests escalated beyond control.
“You can see that some people supervising elements to push individuals to carry Russian flags in Nigeria, Nigeria is a sovereignty, that is crossing the red lines 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 warned.
The security meeting was attended by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and heads of various security and law enforcement agencies.
The attendees included the three service chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Service, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, and the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service.
As protests continue across the nation, the government’s stance remains firm against actions that threaten Nigeria’s sovereignty and democratic order.
“The President is clear on his instructions for us not to accept anyone that wants to disrupt the peace and tranquility of Nigeria,” General Musa concluded. “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.”