The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Mustapha, has issued a stern warning to individuals flying Russian flags in Nigeria, stating that it is a treasonable offense. This statement comes after an emergency security session with President Bola Tinubu at Aso Rock.
“We wanted to brief Mr. President on the situation on the ground, and we know that since the riot has started, all the security agencies you can see are together,” General Mustapha said. “Initially, when the riot started, they said it was a peaceful one, but we have realized that there are individuals that are willing to take advantage of it to cause mayhem.”
The General emphasized that the situation has escalated, with criminals taking over and engaging in looting, stealing, and other criminal activities. He also condemned the flying of foreign flags, stating, “And besides, all of us have seen it where foreign flags have been flown within the sovereignty of Nigeria, and that is totally unacceptable.”
General Mustapha warned that the law would catch up with those involved, saying, “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.”
He also noted that some individuals, including children, are being sponsored to fly these flags, and the military is working to identify and take action against those sponsors. “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 who are sponsoring them.”
The General reiterated the military’s commitment to democracy and its role in maintaining peace and tranquility in Nigeria. “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.”
He concluded by stating that the military would step in when necessary to maintain order. “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, Nigeria’s 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 want to be prosecuted.”
