Defence Chief Declares Protesters Waving Russian Flag Guilty of Treason

Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Mustapha has declared that protesters seen waving the Russian flag in northern Nigeria have committed a treasonable offense.

This statement follows the arrest of 31 individuals by the Nigerian Police for producing and distributing the Russian flag, which has been prominently displayed during ongoing protests against government hardship.

The protests, which began on August 1, 2024, have seen demonstrators in Kano and other northern states carrying Russian flags and chanting slogans. The Russian Embassy in Nigeria has swiftly denied any involvement, emphasizing that these actions do not reflect any official policy or position of the Russian government.

"The Government of the Russian Federation as well as any Russian officials are not involved in these activities and do not coordinate them in any way," the embassy stated.

General Mustapha's declaration has sparked serious concern among former diplomats and military officers. Yemi Farounbi, a former Nigerian ambassador to the Philippines, expressed his dismay, stating, "It is an unfortunate incident to fly the flag of a foreign country during your protest. It is tragic, and I do not think that is what the organizers wanted."

Security experts have also raised alarms about the potential implications of this development. Retired Brigadier-General Bashir Adewinbi cautioned, "Our people should be careful; they should not create room for anybody to destroy our country. A coup can never happen in Nigeria."

The presence of the Russian flag has led to speculations about external influences. Professor Bola Akinterinwa, former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, suggested that the protesters might not be Nigerians but rather individuals from neighboring countries like Niger. "The people flying Russian flags and dancing during the protest may not be Nigerians but Nigeriens," he said.

As the situation unfolds, the Nigerian government and security agencies are urged to intensify their intelligence efforts to prevent any further escalation.

Former DSS Director Mike Ejiofor emphasized, "We have to intensify our intelligence gathering efforts both the national intelligence agency and the state security service must look at these threats even though they had highlighted them earlier."

The nationwide protests, driven by economic hardship, have already resulted in the deaths of 17 people and numerous arrests.