#EndBadGovernance: Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff reacts to citizens’ calls for coup, flying of Russian flag

By KEMI KASUMU

The Nigerian Armed Forces, on Monday August 5, 2024, issued stern warning to citizens agitating for military rule in the country.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Mustapha who gave the warning while addressing journalists shortly after an emergency meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Aso Rock, also said that those flying the Russian flag in Nigeria have committed a treasonable offence.

The DEFENDER reports that while some of the #EndBadGovernance protesters were flying the Russian flag in some Northern states, others were heard calling for military coup to take over the Nigeria’s 25-year-old civillian leadership of the country.

But in his response to the moves by aggrieved Nigerians protesting against hunger and hardship in the country, General Christopher Musa vowed that the law would catch up with such people.

Specifically addressing the call for coup, Musa said the military had accepted democracy and regime change would never be allowed in Nigeria, warning those behind the call to desist.

“All of us have seen it where foreign flags have been flown within the sovereignty of Nigeria, and that is totally unacceptable. 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.

“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.

“Also the issue of coups, 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. Democracy is what we stand for, democracy is what will continue to defend,” he said.