The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has warned protesters against the display of foreign flags during protests across the country.
The police spokesman, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi issued the stern warning in a statement on the Force’s X account on Tuesday.
Adejobi also warned protesters against calls for a military takeover, categorizing such actions as treasonable felonies under the Nigerian law.
He said this follows a wave of violent protests, particularly in Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina States where protesters brandished foreign flags.
“Ongoing investigations reveal that protest organizers in the states mentioned above are luring innocent children into participating in these unpatriotic and criminal acts,” Adejobi said.
“Over 90 suspects have been arrested, including tailors who sewed the flags and their sponsors.
“Efforts are underway to apprehend others who sponsored the production of the flags and fuelled these treasonable acts.”
Adejobi explained that the display of foreign flags and calls for a military takeover constitutes a clear treasonable offense.
He said such action reveals the motives of protest organizers to destabilize Nigeria’s democratic government.
“This aligns with actionable intelligence on the tactics of fifth columnists and non-state actors exploiting economic hardship protests to further their nefarious goals,” he stressed.
He added that tensions from the ongoing protests have eased following President Bola Tinubu’s address on Sunday, August 4, 2024.
However, Adejobi said some groups persist in subversive campaigns in the form of violent and unlawful protests characterized by the destruction of public infrastructure and private property, looting, display of foreign flags and calls for a military takeover.
The police spokesman said these individuals and groups will be treated as subversive agents and charged accordingly.
“The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun has directed Deputy Inspectors General of Police for the Northwest and Northeast zones, DIGs Bala Ciroma and Bello Makwashi to take charge of operations in the states within the two geo-political zones where subversive campaigns are ongoing under the guise of protests,” Adejobi stated.
“They are tasked with stabilizing the situation and preventing further violence in the affected states.
“The Nigeria Police Force reiterates that the use of foreign flags during protests and openly calling for a military takeover of the government is a capital offense under Nigerian law.
“The Police cautions 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.
“Evidence shows that these sponsors have paid significant sums to exploit the hardship protests, brainwashing and misleading innocent children into aiding this campaign against the government.”
Adejobi said the police, however, salutes Nigerians who have refused to participate in and indeed spoke out against the ill-timed protest out of sheer patriotism and belief in the government’s genuine efforts to put the country on the path of economic recovery and growth.
He said the police acknowledges the patriotism of those who peacefully participated in the protests but withdrew when they turned violent.
Adejobi said the police also acknowledges those who heeded President Tinubu’s call to embrace dialogue by withdrawing from the protests.
He added that the police remains committed to maintaining peace, protecting the nation’s heritage and working with the public to ensure the safety and stability of Nigeria.
