By Damilare Adeleye
The Nigeria Police Force has issued a stern warning against the display of foreign flags during protests and calls for a military coup, categorizing such actions as treasonable felonies under Nigerian law.
The warning follows a wave of violent protests that rocked Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina States, where protesters were seen brandishing Russian-like flags.
ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said investigations have revealed that protest organizers in the affected states were luring innocent children into participating in these unpatriotic and criminal acts.
He noted that over ninety suspects have been arrested, including tailors who sewed the flags and their sponsors.
“The display of foreign flags and calls for a military takeover constitutes a clear treasonable offense, revealing the motives of protest organizers to destabilize Nigeria’s democratic government. This aligns with actionable intelligence on the tactics of fifth columnists and non-state actors exploiting economic hardship protests to further their nefarious goals.
“Tensions from the ongoing protests have eased following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s address on August 4, 2024. However, some groups persist in subversive campaigns in the form of violent and unlawful protests, characterized by the destruction of public infrastructure and private property, looting, display of foreign flags, and calls for a military takeover. These individuals and groups will be treated as subversive agents and charged accordingly.
“The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has directed Deputy Inspectors General of Police for the Northwest and Northeast zones, DIGs Bala Ciroma, psc, and Bello Makwashi, to take charge of operations in the states within the two geo-political zones where subversive campaigns are ongoing under the guise of protests. They are tasked with stabilizing the situation and preventing further violence in the affected states.
“The Nigeria Police Force reiterates that the use of foreign flags during protests and openly calling for a military takeover of the government is a capital offense under Nigerian law. The Police cautions Nigerian youths to be wary of individuals and groups turning protests into business ventures, funded by local or foreign sponsors aiming to destabilize the country. Evidence shows that these sponsors have paid significant sums to exploit the hardship protests, brainwashing and misleading innocent children into aiding this campaign against the government,” the statement added.
#EndBadGovernance protests took a violent turn early this week, resulting in numerous deaths, the burning of properties, and a significant disruption of business activities.
Several major highways were blocked, exacerbating the situation.