Flying foreign flags during protests treasonable, CDS declares

Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa has declared that displaying foreign flags during the #EndBadGovernance protests constitutes treason and will be treated as such.

Musa made this statement following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Monday.

The issue of foreign flags, notably Russian and Japanese, emerged on the first day of protests in Kano, where demonstrators called for intervention by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Subsequent protests in Jos, Kaduna, and Abuja also featured foreign flags, prompting concerns from authorities.

Musa emphasized the severity of the offense, saying, “A lot 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.”

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He warned that individuals caught with foreign flags would face treason charges, and stressed that the military and security agencies are committed to defending democracy.

“We will not accept anyone pushing or taking any action, seemingly or for whatever reason, to want to push for any change of government,” Musa added. He also mentioned ongoing investigations into those allegedly sponsoring the protests, particularly targeting the individuals who have been seen encouraging the use of foreign flags.

The CDS also addressed concerns about the potential for unrest, noting that similar protests in neighboring Sahelian countries had led to coups.

He assured the public that Nigeria’s security forces are prepared to maintain peace and order, and that any actions disrupting the country’s stability would be dealt with decisively.

The protests, which have been marked by vandalism, looting, and fatalities, have led Musa to caution that the military may intervene if the situation deteriorates further.