On Monday, President Bola Tinubu met with his security chiefs, including paramilitary leaders, to discuss the recent hunger protests that have occurred across the country over the past five days. During the meeting, Tinubu expressed his concern about protesters displaying Russian flags in various states, including Kano, Plateau, Kaduna, and Zamfara, and gave strict instructions to the military leaders to address this issue.
The two-hour meeting also focused on non-state actors advocating for a change in government. The security chiefs reported that President Tinubu had directed them to maintain peace and order. The presidency and military officials indicated that the actions of the protesters, particularly those carrying Russian flags, had crossed a critical line and would be dealt with firmly.
General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, who led the service chiefs and other military and paramilitary heads at the meeting, briefed reporters afterward. He described the protests as riots and highlighted incidents of looting and destruction of public property, underscoring the government’s initial opposition to the protests.
General Musa stated, “We briefed Mr. President on the situation, and it is clear that criminals have taken advantage of the protests, leading to widespread looting and chaos. We have seen individuals carrying foreign flags within Nigeria, which is completely unacceptable. This is a treasonable offense, and it will be treated as such. We will not tolerate anyone trying to disrupt the peace and democracy of Nigeria.”
Musa emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to democracy and warned against any attempts to undermine it. He mentioned ongoing investigations to identify and prosecute those sponsoring the display of foreign flags.
Addressing allegations of military personnel involvement in the looting, General Musa clarified that this was a misunderstanding. He explained that soldiers were attempting to clear the area and that thorough investigations had shown no military involvement in such activities.
The meeting was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and other key officials. They collectively assured President Tinubu of their commitment to maintaining peace and stability in Nigeria.
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