*Orders Crackdown On Those Flying Russian Flag

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu, on Monday, August 5, shifted this week’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting to an undisclosed date and instead met with service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting was attended by Vice President, Kashim Shettima; National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President, Nuhu Ribadu; all Service Chiefs and Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun.

The urgency of the meeting may not be unconnected to the nationwide #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests, which entered its fifth day, despite the national broadcast by President Bola Tinubu Sunday, August 4, where he called for dialogue and an immediate end to the agitations.

At the end of the meeting, the President directed security agencies to crack down on those flying the Russian flag during the ongoing protests across the country.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, while briefing State House Correspondents after the National Security Council meeting, said the service chiefs briefed the President on the current security situation in the country due to  the protests, which resulted into violence in some states.

“Initially, when the protest started, they said it was a peaceful protest, but we have realised that there are individuals that are willing to take advantage of it to cause mayhem. And we can see clearly what has happened since it has commenced. Criminals have taken over with a lot of looting taking place, stealing and all sorts happening,” he said.

The defence chief said the situation became worrisome as foreign flags were flown within the sovereignty of Nigeria, that which is totally unacceptable, adding: “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 offence and it will be viewed and treated as such. So, nobody should allow himself to be used by any individual.”

Musa observed that those flying foreign flags were mainly children being pushed to do so, noting: “We’re following up with those who are sponsoring them. Some people are pushing them, because the flags were also made. We have identified those behind it and we are going to take serious action against them.

“The President is clear on his instructions for us not to accept anyone that wants to disrupt the peace and tranquility of Nigeria. We will not accept anyone taking any action, 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.”

Musa, who has late last week warned that the military would step in if the protests got out of hand, said: “You can see that some subversive elements are pushing individuals to carry Russian flags in Nigeria. That is crossing the redline and we will not accept that.”