The Nigerian military said on Monday that individuals flying Russian flags during the nationwide protests are committing treason and will, therefore, be “prosecuted.”
It also announced that it is investigating those instigating this action and will “take serious action” against them.
“That is totally unacceptable… that is a treasonable offense, and it will be viewed and treated as such,” said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, after a meeting of the National Security Council chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Monday.
“As Nigerians protested the high cost of living on Saturday, August 3, 2024, some protesters in Kano State were spotted flying what appeared to be the Russian flag. Viral photos and videos taken in the northern state showed demonstrators waving the Russian flag as they chanted in Hausa, “We don’t want bad government.”
On Monday, protesters in Kaduna were also seen waving the Russian flag and chanting in Hausa, “Welcome, Russia; Welcome, Russia.”
Russia, an Eastern power currently mired in a cold war with the West, has been blamed for several unconstitutional changes of government in West African countries such as Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, among others.
The Defence Chief added, “For those of them 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.”
“We are warning in clear terms, and the President has also said we should convey this: We will not accept anybody flying any foreign flag in Nigeria… So nobody should allow themselves to be used by any individual.”