It’s treason flying Russian flag in Nigeria – Defence chief

Worried by Russian flag being flown in Kano and other places by the protesters, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, said, those flying the flag are committing treasonable offences.

He said, security agents will go after them, arrest and prosecute them for treason.

The military chief said, the individuals flying Russian flag will be investigated and serious action will be taken against them.

He stated this at a media chat with Aso Rock Villa correspondents on Monday after the National Security Council meeting which was presided by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He said: “That is totally unacceptable… that is a treasonable offence, 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.”

In Kano protesters took to flying Russian flag even as some of them could be seen lowering Nigerian flag and setting it on fire.

On Monday in Kaduna, protesters 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 tranquility of Nigeria.

“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.”