Tinubu orders crackdown on those flying Russian flag as Nigeria loses N700bn in 5 days over hunger protest

President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to crack down on those flying Russian flags in the country.

Gen. Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, said this while briefing State House correspondents after the National Security Council meeting.

The meeting was attended by all the service chiefs, Vice President Kashim Shetima, Mr Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser; and Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police, among others.

Gen. Musa said the service chiefs briefed the President on the current security situation in the country.

He added that the briefing was necessitated by the ongoing nationwide protests which resulted into 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.

“We’re following up with those who are sponsoring them. Some people are pushing them because the flags were also made. We have identified those behind it and we are going to take serious action against them. 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.

Meanwhile, losses to the economy have been estimated at over N700 billion in the first five days of protest against hardship, and while N600 billion was recorded in Lagos, Kano lost over N100 billion, the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria, ASBON, and Kano Chamber of Commerce and Industry, KACCIMA, declared yesterday.

The former Deputy President, Kano State Chamber of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture, KACCIMA, Usman Darma, said losses incurred in the state within the five days of the protest were well over N100 billion.

He said: “70 per cent in the state are into commerce and business, while 25 per cent of neighbouring African countries trade with Kano.

“With the current situation, businesses have been shut down. Kano State is the worst hit. So, aside from looting and vandalism of properties, the state incurred losses of over N100 billion minimum within the five days.’’

Similarly, the President of Nigeria’s largest grain market, Dawanau, Muntaka Isa, put the losses incurred by the market from the commencement of the protest till date at over N2 billion.

In the same vein, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ACCI, said yesterday it would be difficult to recover from losses suffered by businesses in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, as a result of the ongoing protest.

The Director-General of the chamber, Mr. Agabaidu Jideani, said although the financial figures of losses had not yet been put together, it ran into hundreds of million of naira.

He said: “The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has experienced significant financial losses due to the recent #EndBadGovernance protests, with costs running into hundreds of millions of naira.

“The demonstrations led to the shutdown of major business areas, such as markets and shopping malls in the city and were marred by attacks from hoodlums, resulting in extensive property damage, looting of closed shops, and increased security expenses.

“Particularly, affected were businesses in Lugbe axis and Mararaba area of Abuja, which reported incidents of vandalism and looting by miscreants.”

Jideani, who expressed concern over the substantial losses incurred, added: “The cost of repairing the damage in the affected areas will place a significant burden on business owners, especially given the current challenges to business growth. Recovering from this setback will be difficult.’’
He said ACCI had taken a proactive stance before the protests, with its President, Chief Emeka Obegolu, issuing a statement urging calm and vigilance.

“Chief Obegolu’s statement was a call for restraint and caution, aiming to protect the business community, which often becomes a target during protests,” he added.

While highlighting the significant disruptions caused to the business community in Abuja, Jideani said “businesses, ranging from small local shops to larger corporations, were forced to halt operations, leading to a substantial loss of revenue.

“The decline in customer turnout, coupled with the costs associated with security and repairs, has raised major concerns among local entrepreneurs.”