Protest: Raising foreign flag within Nigeria “totally unacceptable,” says Defence Chief

Kunle Sanni

Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), has described the use of foreign flags across parts of Nigeria to protest as totally unacceptable.

Musa made his remarks in response to reports that some people were protesting and displaying the Russian flag in various parts of the nation.

Images and videos from Kano have gone viral on social media, showing some demonstrators waving Russian flags.

Speaking with State House reporters on Monday at the presidential Villa in Abuja, Musa said that flying a foreign flag in a sovereign nation like Nigeria is a treasonable offense.

He said it is clear since the commencement of the protest criminals have taken over, a lot of looting taking place, stealing and all sorts happenings.

He also revealed that the President has directed that security chiefs should convey a directive that such acts will not be acceptable.

“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 flying 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,” he said.

Musa added that security agencies are following up and tracking down the sponsors of those flying the flag.

“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 ones sponsoring them. Those 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.

Western Post Online reported that President Bola Tinubu had met with heads of security agencies at the State House.

Speaking on the issues of coups, the CDS said Nigeria is a democratic nation. He also said that all security agencies are ready to defend democracy and ensure that democracy continues to thrive.

He added, “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 thrive. We will not accept anyone pushing or taking any action, seemingly or for whatever reason to want to push for any change of government.