President Bola Tinubu on Monday met with his security chiefs, including paramilitary heads, where they reviewed the antecedents that have trailed the hunger protests in parts of the country in the last five days.
Tinubu had expressed dismay over the flying of the Russian flags by protesters, and he gave the military chiefs stern directives.
Recall that while the protest festered in some states, the Russian flag with Red, Blue and White colours was spotted in Kano, Plateau, Kaduna and Zamfara States.
The President is believed to have told the service chiefs that the trend was totally unacceptable and should be curtailed at all cost.
The meeting which lasted for about two hours also reviewed non state actors calling for a change in government, to which the security chiefs said the President has given them a stern directive to maintain peace and orderliness in the country.
According to the presidency and the military chiefs, the Russian flag carrying protesters have crossed the red line and will answer to it soon.
The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Musa who led the Service Chiefs and other military and paramilitary heads to the meeting told State House reporters shortly after the meeting that the actions of the protesters characterised by looting and destruction of public properties justified why the federal government was against the protest from the onset.
General Musa labelled the protest as riot, saying, “we briefed Mr President on the situation on ground and we know that since the riot started all the security agencies you can see all of us together. Initially, when the riot started they said it was a peaceful riot but we have realised that there are individuals that are willing to take advantage of it to cause mayhem.
“We can see clearly what has happened since it commenced. Criminals have taken over, a lot of looting taking place, stealing and all sorts is happening.
“Besides, all of us have seen it, where foreign flags have been flown within the sovereignty of Nigeria, and that is totally unacceptable. 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. So nobody should allow himself to be used by any individual.
“Also the issue of coups, Nigeria is a sovereign nation, Nigeria is a democratic nation all security agencies are here to defend democracy and ensure that democracy continues to strive. We will not accept anyone pushing or taking any action, seemingly or for whatever reason to want to push for any change of government.
“Democracy is what we stand for, democracy is what we will continue to defend. For those flying flags and if you notice a lot of them are kids being pushed to do that.
“We’re following up with those who are sponsoring them. Those that are pushing them because you know, the flags were also made. We have identified those areas and we are going to take serious action against that.
“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”.
Reacting to an allegation that some military personnel partook in the looting in some states, General Musa said, “No. I think it has been cleared, I think it was also a misconception. They actually have seen those things and they wanted to clear them away from that area and that’s what was done.
“We have investigated thoroughly, the Chief of army Staff is here. we have investigated thoroughly and there is nothing like such no member of the Armed Forces fall into doing that. And he’s very clear.
“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 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”.
The meeting also had in attendance the Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun among others.
