In a warning to protesters and dissidents, Chief of Defence Employees (CDS), Common Chris Musa, has declared that holding or waving international flags inside Nigerian territory constitutes a treasonable offence.
The pronouncement got here on Monday following a gathering between safety chiefs and President Bola Tinubu on the Presidential Villa addressing the continuing unrest within the nation.
CDS Musa, talking to State Home correspondents after the assembly on Monday, expressed grave concern over the show of international flags throughout current protests in Kano and Kaduna States.
He reported that what started as peaceable protests has been exploited by criminals, leading to widespread looting and theft.
Of explicit concern to the navy management was the looks of international flags being flown inside Nigerian territory, which Musa labelled as “completely unacceptable” and a “treasonable offence”.
He stated: “we needed to temporary Mr President on the scenario on floor and we all know that because the riot has began, all the safety businesses you may see, all of us collectively.
“Initially, when the riot began, they stated it was a peaceable riot however we have now realised that there are people which might be prepared to reap the benefits of it to trigger mayhem.
“And we are able to see clearly what has occurred because it has commenced. Criminals have taken over, quite a lot of looting happening, stealing and all kinds occurring.
“And in addition to, all of us have seen it the place international flags have been waved throughout the sovereignty of Nigeria, and that’s completely unacceptable. We’re warning in clear phrases and the President has additionally stated we should always convey this, that we are going to not settle for anyone, any particular person waving any international flag in Nigeria.
“That’s treasonable offence, and it will likely be considered and handled as such. So no person shall enable himself for use by any particular person.”
The CDS additionally addressed rumours of potential coups, firmly asserting that each one safety businesses have been dedicated to defending Nigeria’s democracy.
“Additionally the problem of coups, Nigeria is a sovereign nation, Nigeria is a democratic nation, all safety businesses are right here to defend democracy and be sure that democracy continues to try.
“We won’t settle for anybody pushing or taking any motion, seemingly or for no matter cause to need to push for any change of presidency,” he added.
Gen. Musa revealed that authorities have recognized people accountable for manufacturing and distributing international flags, lots of whom are reportedly utilizing kids to hold out these actions.
He promised “critical motion” in opposition to these orchestrating these efforts.
In response to him, “for these of them waving flags and should you’ll see quite a lot of them are children being pushed to try this. We’re following up with these ones which might be sponsoring them.
“Those that are pushing them as a result of you understand, the flags have been additionally made. We have now recognized these areas and we’re going to take critical motion in opposition to that.
“The President is evident on his directions for us to not settle for anybody that wishes to disrupt the peace and tranquility of Nigeria.
“And we’re all standing right here collectively to indicate Nigerians that we’re working intently, we’re working along with synergy to make sure that there’s nonetheless peace and tranquility in Nigeria that we have now assured Mr. President.”
Responding to allegations of navy involvement in looting, Gen. Musa dismissed the claims as misconceptions, stating {that a} thorough investigation had cleared armed forces personnel of any such wrongdoing.
“No. I believe it has been cleared, I believe it was additionally a false impression. They really have seen these issues and so they needed to clear them away and that’s what was finished. We have now investigated throughly, the Chief of Military Employees is right here. We have now investigated completely and there’s nothing like such, no member of the Armed Forces falls into doing that. And he’s very clear.
“We’ve stated that clearly that the navy goes to step in when it’s out of hand and you may see that for folks supervising parts to push people to hold Russian flags in Nigeria, Nigerian sovereignty, that’s crossing the purple line and we won’t settle for that. And people ones who’ve finished that can go in for the books and they are going to be prosecuted,” he said.
The CDS reiterated the navy’s dedication to sustaining peace and tranquility in Nigeria, warning that those that have crossed “the purple line” by displaying international flags will face prosecution.
