The protest in Kano had taken a different turn, with foreign flags showing up among protesters. Videos circulated of persons burning the Nigerian flag while holding high the Russian flag.
Now, the Nigeria Police Force has issued a strong warning against displaying foreign flags and calling for a military coup during protests.
The force labels these actions as treasonable felonies under Nigerian law.
This warning comes in response to recent violent protests in Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina States, where demonstrators were observed waving foreign flags.
As a result, the spokesman for the police, Olumuyiwa Adejobi issued the statement via X app on Tuesday, August 6. He quoted the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, as emphasising the seriousness of these actions.
Capital Offenses
“The use of foreign flags in protests and calls for a military takeover are capital offenses under Nigerian law.”
The police have revealed that investigations have identified certain protest organisers as being behind the activities.
According to the statement, “evidence indicates that these sponsors have invested substantial amounts to manipulate hardship protests, indoctrinate, and mislead vulnerable children into supporting this anti-government campaign”.
More than 90 suspects have been detained, including tailors who made the flags and their sponsors.
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Authorities are continuing to pursue additional individuals suspected of funding these treasonable acts.
Adejobi stated: “Displaying foreign flags and calling for a military takeover are clear acts of treason, showing that the protest organizers aim to destabilize Nigeria’s democratic government”.
In response, Egbetokun has assigned Deputy Inspectors General of Police, Bala Ciroma and Bello Makwashi, to oversee operations in the affected Northwest and Northeast regions.
The police have also cautioned Nigerian youths to be wary of those who are turning protests into business ventures, with local or foreign sponsors seeking to disrupt Nigeria.
Although, tensions have decreased following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s address on August 4, the police reported that some groups were still engaging in violent and unlawful protests.
