Police Issue Warning to Protesters Displaying Foreign Flags, Advocating for Military Takeover[VIDEO]

Nigeria has witnessed a surge in protests across several northern states, including Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina in recent days.

Demonstrators have been seen waving Russian flags and calling for a military takeover, actions that the Nigeria Police Force has sternly condemned.

According to a statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on August 6, 2024, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, emphasized the severity of these actions, stating, "The use of foreign flags during protests and openly calling for a military takeover of the government is a capital offence under Nigerian law."

The police have arrested over 90 individuals, including tailors who produced the Russian flags and their sponsors.

Investigations revealed that huge sums of money were paid to exploit the hardship protests, misleading innocent children into participating in these treasonable acts. The police are actively pursuing other suspects believed to be funding these activities.

The protests, which initially erupted due to high living costs and perceived bad governance, have now ebbed following a deadly police crackdown.

However, some groups continue to engage in subversive campaigns characterized by violent and unlawful protests, destruction of public infrastructure, looting, and calls for a military coup. The police have warned that such individuals and groups will be treated as subversive agents and charged accordingly.

In response to the ongoing situation, Deputy Inspectors General of Police, DIGs Bala Ciroma and Bello Makwashi, have been deployed to oversee operations in the affected Northwest and Northeast zones.

The police have also cautioned Nigerian youths to be wary of individuals and groups turning protests into business ventures funded by local or foreign sponsors aiming to destabilize the country.

While tensions have eased following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s address on August 4, the police expressed gratitude to citizens who refrained from participating in the protests and those who withdrew when demonstrations turned violent.