● Scary video calls on protesters to attack estates to kill prominent politicians
Some tailors responsible for sewing Russian flags for #Endbadgovernance protesters in Kano State have been arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The disclosure comes as President Bola Tinubu on Monday directed security agencies to crack down on those flying Russian flag in the country.
Worse, a scary video surfaced calling on protestersto attack estates and kill prominent politicians who live in them.
Gen. Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), told journalists about Tinubu’s directive after the National Security Council meeting.
He said the service chiefs briefed the President on the current security situation in the country.
Many protesters in some northwestern states were seen in videos and photos carrying Russian flags, in what was seen as endorsing regimes in West Africa that have become affiliated with the Russian government.
Coupled with demonstrators prodding soldiers to step in and take over government, there has been disquiet in certain quarters. Another viral Tik-tok video in Hausa language, calling on protesters to storm high-brow estates to attack its residents has also sent fear into dwellers of estates.
Below is the scary video:
Loosely translated, the narrator advises his fellow protesters that from the fifth day of the protests, they should attack estates housing politicians (Senators, House of Representatives Members, State House of Assembly Members) and torch the houses and kill the Politicians
The Russian Embassy in Abuja has since denied having a hand in the the carrying of its country’s flags by protesters.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued on his X handle on Monday, DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, disclosed that some of those who sponsored the sewing of flags have been arrested and currently undergoing interrogation.
“… the Service has apprehended some tailors in Kano State responsible for making the Russian flags being distributed in the area. Some of their sponsors have also been picked. Investigation is ongoing.”
In Abuja, the Defence Chief told journalists that the briefing with Tinubu by security and defence chiefs was necessitated by the ongoing nationwide protests, which resulted in violence in some states.
“Initially, when the protest started they said it was a peaceful protest but we have realised that there are individuals that are willing to take advantage of it to cause mayhem.
“And we can see clearly what has happened since it has commenced. Criminals have taken over with a lot of looting taking place, stealing and all sorts happening,” he said.
He said the situation became worrisome as foreign flags were flown within the sovereignty of Nigeria, and that was 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 should allow himself to be used by any individual,” said the general.
He said those flying foreign flags were mainly children who were being pushed to do so.
“The President is clear on his instructions for us not to accept anyone that wants to disrupt the peace and tranquility of Nigeria,” he said.
He said all security agencies were ready to defend democracy and the sovereignty of the nation.
“We will not accept anyone taking any action, for whatever reason to want to push for any change of government.
“Democracy is what we stand for, democracy is what we will continue to defend,” he said.
The CDS said he had earlier stated that the military would step in if the protests got out of hand.
“You can see that some subversive elements are pushing individuals to carry Russian flags in Nigeria; that is crossing the red line, and we will not accept that.
President Tinubu had in a national broadcast on Sunday pleaded with the organisers of the nationwide protest to suspend the action as it had gone violent in some states with the attendant loss of lives and destruction of property.
He also warned that he would not sit and watch some people used by opposition politicians to truncate democracy in the country.
The meeting was attended by all the service chiefs, Vice President Kashim Shetima, Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser, and Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police, among others.
● With additional report by NAN
