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Protesters waving Russian flags will face treason charges, says CDS Musa
The Nigerian military announced on Monday that individuals displaying Russian flags during the ongoing nationwide protests are committing treason and will be “prosecuted.”
Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, made the statement following a National Security Council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. He emphasized that such actions are “totally unacceptable” and will be treated as treasonable offenses.
On August 3, 2024, during protests against the high cost of living, some demonstrators in Kano State were seen waving what appeared to be Russian flags. Viral photos and videos showed these protesters chanting in Hausa, “We don’t want bad government.” Similar scenes were reported on Monday in Kaduna, where protesters were also seen waving Russian flags and chanting, “Welcome, Russia; Welcome, Russia.”
Russia, an Eastern power currently engaged in tensions with the West, has been accused of influencing several unconstitutional government changes in West African countries such as Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
Read also: Obi criticizes Tinubu’s address on hunger protests, calls for a genuine response
General Musa stated, “For those flying flags, and if you see a lot of them, they are kids being pushed to do that. We’re following up with those who are sponsoring them. Those are pushing them because, you know, the flyers were also made. We have identified those areas, and we are going to take serious action against them.”
“The President is clear in his instructions for us not to accept anyone who wants to disrupt the peace and tranquillity of Nigeria,” Musa added.
“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… So nobody should allow themselves to be used by any individual.”
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