As Nigerians went to the streets recently to protest against hunger and alleged bad government policies in town. No fewer than 31 persons arrested and currently facing trial for treasons, distruption of peace, anarchy, calling for military to take over and displaying of Russian flag which Russian embassy diassociates themselves on.
In a stertn warning from President Bola Tinubu and Chief of Defence Staff to the protesters after Monday Security meeting, summoned by President Bola Tinubu which was attended by all service chiefs.
In a briefing after the meeting by Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa said:”Federal Government will never allow anarchy under disguise of any protests allegedly sponsored by individuals or forein nations.”
“The Nigerian government will not tolerate calls for coups and the waving of foreign flags by some protesters, defence chief Christopher Musa said after a meeting between security chiefs and President Bola Tinubu on Monday.
Gen. Musa said the meeting discussed the calls for a coup and the waving of Russian flags by some protesters in some northern states like Kaduna and Kano.
“We are warning in clear terms and the president has also said we should convey this, that we will not accept anybody, any individual flying any foreign flag in Nigeria,” the army general said. “That is a treasonable offence, and it will be viewed and treated as such. So nobody shall allow himself to be used by any individual.”
On the calls for a coup, Musa said, “Nigeria is a sovereign nation. Nigeria is a democratic nation. All security agencies are here to defend democracy and ensure that democracy continues to strive.”
“We will not accept anyone pushing or taking any action, seemingly or for whatever reason, to want to push for any change of government.”
Some protesters in Kaduna had raised Russian flags and called for a coup on Monday, a day after some had made similar calls in Kano.
The protesters were taking advantage of the #EndBadGovernance protests across Nigeria where protesters are calling for economic and political reforms.
The #Endbadgovernance protests started on 1 August and are billed to last for 10 days. Nigerians chanting “we are hungry” marched through the streets of several cities across the country. Five states, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Borno and Yobe, all in the northern parts of the country, imposed a 24-hour curfew after the protests turned violent. Many have since relaxed the curfew by some hours while Kaduna imposed its 24-hour curfew on Kaduna and Zaria cities on Monday.
The police on Thursday used force to disperse peaceful protesters in some cities while protesters in other cities went violent and looted properties. Similar situations occurred on the other days of the protests.
The demonstrators were protesting the high cost of living, food shortages, and government mismanagement. Many marchers called on President Tinubu to address systemic corruption and reverse controversial economic reforms that he passed last year.
The president addressed the nation on Sunday but did not meet any of the demands of the protesters.
The rage has so far left about 13 people dead nationwide, according to Amnesty International. But the police have insisted that only seven died while also blaming the fatalities on terrorists, a local vigilante and a reckless driver who ran his car into a crowd.
More than 600 people have been arrested and the army has expressed readiness to help in stopping the protests if they turn violent.
“We’ve said clearly that the military is going to step in when it is out of hand, and you can see that for people supervising elements to push individuals to carry Russian flags in Nigeria, that is crossing the red line and we will not accept that,” Mr Musa said on Monday.
He said some of those carrying the Russian flags were kids and security agencies are working to identify their sponsors.
“For those of them flying flags and if you’ll see a lot of them are kids being pushed to do that. We’re following up with those sponsoring them.”
The military general added: “Initially, when the riot started they said it was a peaceful riot but we have realised that there are individuals that are willing to take advantage of it to cause mayhem.”
“Criminals have taken over, a lot of looting taking place, stealing and all sorts happening.”
In Abuja the protest has been largely peaceful and demonstrators have been confined in one location (Moshood Abiola Stadium). Yet the operatives of the State Security Services (SSS) and the police still fired tear gas and suspected live ammunition to disperse protesters and journalists who were covering the protests.
Monday’s security meeting indicates that the government is concerned that the protests could escalate and is making moves to calm the situation including deploying soldiers.
Kaduna, Bauchi and Plateau states were put under curfew blanket yesterday following mass looting during the economic crisis protests.
The protests in the North, a region that has been reeling under serious terrorism and bandit attacks, took a turn for the worse, forcing governors of the affected states to take tough measures.
The Plateau State government Caleb Mutfwang imposed a 24-hour curfew on Jos North Local Government on Sunday night to curb escalating violence.
The protest, led by General Overseer of Evangelical Outreach (EBOMI), Isa El-Buba, and National Coordinator of the Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria (IBBN)/ former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, commenced on a peaceful note.
The state government had even commended them on the peaceful protest.
But, on Sunday, things went awry when a strange group of protesters appeared in some parts of Jos North while the first set was on break.
The latter group held up Russian flags and unleashed violence.
While the original group converged daily at Old Airport Roundabout in Jos, the new violent group moved from street to street, looting property.
They invaded Bauchi Road in Zololo, Dilimi, Sabon Layi, Filling Ball, Congo Russia, Angwan Rogo and environs.
Mutfwang said the curfew was with effect from Sunday midnight.
He said it was declared “in consultation with state security agencies after reviewing the actions of unscrupulous individuals who exploited the nationwide protest to unleash terror on innocent citizens”.
The governor noted that these criminal elements “armed with daggers, machetes, and other dangerous weapons, broke into shops and restaurants along Bauchi Road and Zololo Junction, looting foodstuffs and other valuable items”.
He warned those planning to unleash further terror on innocent citizens to desist immediately or face the full wrath of the law.
The group of violent protesters, mostly underaged fundamentalists, defied the curfew and continued with their looting yesterday.
Governor Mutfwang also convened a security council meeting yesterday, after which the Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, said 14 individuals were arrested for violating the curfew.
El-Buba faulted the curfew, claiming it was an attempt to stifle citizens’ voices.
“We are amazed and so disappointed with the curfew declaration by the state government. There is nothing that warrants it.
“Plateau State has been adjudged as hosting the most peaceful protest all over the world. History has been made here.
“Thousands of Muslims on the first, second and third days of the protest shielded by their Christian brothers and sisters.
“On Sunday, Christians in their thousands were shielded by Muslims in their thousands. It has never happened,” he added.
But, Adesina urged residents to comply with the curfew or risk arrest.
“The Plateau State Police Command is poised to maintain peace in the state and will not allow any person or group of individuals to plunge the State into unruly turmoil.”
Curfew in Kaduna
As protesters who regrouped in Kaduna yesterday embarked on a looting spree, the state government declared a 24-hour curfew on the Kaduna and Zaria metropolises.
The protesters marched on the major streets of Kaduna and Zaria, waving Russian flags.
They were dispersed at the NEPA Roundabout after they started looting public and private property.
They vandalised property at AIT and Vision FM offices within the Nagwamatse House.
Announcing the curfew in a statement, Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said the protest had been hijacked by criminal elements.
“The Kaduna State Security Council under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani, following a review of the security situation in the state, hereby notifies citizens of the following:
“There is sufficient evidence to clearly indicate that the ongoing protest has been hijacked by criminal elements who have resorted to looting of shops and destruction of private and public property.
“In view of this unfortunate development, the Kaduna State Security Council has unanimously resolved to impose a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna and Zaria metropolises and environs with immediate effect.
“Citizens are advised to remain indoors while security forces continue to work to maintain safety and security.
“Monitoring will be sustained for review of the curfew as required,” he said.
Council secretariat, ex-dep. Governor House torched in Bauchi
Bauchi Governor, Bala Mohammed, also imposed a 24-hour curfew in Katagum LGA.
It followed violent incidents, destruction of public property and theft.
Some hoodlums in Azare of Katagum LGA vandalised the government lodge and the country home of the immediate-past deputy governor, Senator Baba Tela.
They set ablaze the local government secretariat.
The governor’s directive is contained in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Ibrahim Muhammad Kashim.
He directed all security agencies to take swift action to address the situation, apprehend those responsible and bring them to justice.
The governor also called on law-abiding citizens to support security efforts.
