Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Mustapha Warns Against Flying Russian Flags in Nigeria, Citing Treasonable Offense
Abuja, Nigeria – General Christopher Mustapha, the Chief of Defence Staff, has issued a stern warning against individuals flying foreign flags, particularly the Russian flag, within Nigeria. He emphasized that such actions are considered treasonable offenses and vowed that those responsible would face the full force of the law.
Speaking after an emergency security meeting with President Bola Tinubu at Aso Rock on Monday, General Mustapha addressed the growing unrest and emphasized the military’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic governance.
Security Concerns Amid Protests
The emergency session was convened in response to ongoing protests and riots across the country, which have escalated into violence and looting. General Mustapha expressed concern over the situation, noting that what initially began as peaceful protests had been hijacked by criminal elements intent on causing chaos.
“We wanted to brief Mr. President on the situation on the ground, and we know that since the riots started, all the security agencies have been working in concert. Initially, when the riot started, they said it was a peaceful one, but we have realized that there are individuals who 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 is taking place, stealing, and all sorts of crimes are happening,” General Mustapha explained.
Flying Foreign Flags: A Red Line
General Mustapha specifically addressed the alarming trend of foreign flags, notably the Russian flag, being flown within Nigerian territory, which he described as a grave breach of sovereignty. He reiterated that this act is unacceptable and classified it as a treasonable offense, which will be dealt with severely by the authorities.
“And 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 shall allow himself to be used by any individual,” he declared.
Youth Involvement and External Influence
The Chief of Defence Staff expressed concern about the involvement of young people in these acts, suggesting that they might be manipulated by external forces. He stated that investigations are ongoing to identify those orchestrating these activities and assured the public that appropriate measures would be taken against them.
“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 who are sponsoring them. Those 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,” General Mustapha said.
Military’s Stand on Democracy and Regime Change
General Mustapha also addressed the rising calls for regime change, reiterating the military’s unwavering commitment to democracy and its resolve against any attempts to disrupt Nigeria’s democratic system. He emphasized that the military has embraced democratic principles and would not support any unconstitutional change in government.
“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 asserted.
He further cautioned against pushing the military to intervene in matters of civil unrest unless absolutely necessary, emphasizing that the display of foreign flags, particularly those symbolizing hostile entities, crosses a critical red line.
“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’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,” General Mustapha warned.
Ensuring National Stability
The Defence Chief’s remarks underline the government’s determination to maintain national stability and protect Nigeria’s sovereignty from both internal and external threats. The meeting at Aso Rock, attended by high-ranking security officials, demonstrated a unified front in addressing the country’s security challenges.
As tensions rise, the government continues to appeal for calm and cooperation from the public, urging citizens to engage in peaceful and constructive dialogue to address grievances rather than resorting to actions that threaten national security.