President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, met with all heads of security agencies in the country to review the state of the nation amid ongoing protests embarked upon by aggrieved Nigerians, which had turned violent in some parts of the country.
The situation in many northern cities had become precarious, with daily reports of violence since the protests against hardship and hunger began some five days ago countrywide.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, who briefed newsmen at the end of the security meeting, described as a treasonable offence the hoisting of the Russian flag by protesters in some Nigerian towns.
Musa also ruled out the possibility of a coup to remove the democratically elected government of Tinubu, saying the military will frustrate any such undemocratic move.
The police and the Department of State Services (DSS) denied alleged use of live bullets on protesters and journalists covering the #EndBadGovernance protests
On the Abuja-Kaduna road, soldiers and protesters, reportedly, clashed Monday as the national protest entered its fifth day.
At the same time, Kano State Government concluded plans to establish an independent judicial inquiry to investigate the shooting of protesters in the state. The government also expressed dissatisfaction with protesters, who, in their hundreds, hoisted Russian flags while protesting.
In Kaduna State, the state security council imposed a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna and Zaria metropolitan cities to avert further breakdown of law and order.
That was as hoodlums, under the guise of protest, attacked a branch of a commercial bank in Tudun Wada area of Kaduna, the state capital.
Despite the imposition of curfew in Plateau State, angry youths, Monday, stormed out to confront security agents at Dilimi area of Bauchi Road, in Jos North Local Government Area.
In his response to the violent protests in Gombe State, Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, Monday, presided over an emergency expanded security meeting to review the situation and develop a coordinated strategy to prevent further occurrence.
National Association of Seadogs (NAS), also known as Pyrates Confraternity, expressed concern over the wave of violence and brutality that accompanied the #EndBadGovernance protests, saying the alleged crackdown on protesters must be probed. ...[CONTINUE READING HERE ▶▶]
However, after four days of sustained protest, normalcy returned to Lagos, where Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu chaired the weekly Executive Council meeting.
Meanwhile, reactions continued to trail Tinubu’s Sunday broadcast, as the presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 poll, Peter Obi, said the speech failed to address the issues that triggered the protest.
Similarly, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, which had earlier commended the speech, called on Tinubu to reverse the fuel price or address some of the demands of the protesters, else his national address would be deemed worthless.
The National Security Council meeting presided by Tinubu took place a day after he addressed the nation and appealed to organisers of the nationwide protests to suspend the action and embrace dialogue.
The security meeting, which held at the president’s office, also looked into the new trend of protesters hoisting foreign flags in some states in the north.
Some protesters in Kano, Kaduna, Zamfara and Plateau states had hoisted the Russian flag in expression of their disappointment with the Nigerian government, obviously, unaware of the implications of their action, in the fit of anger.
The chief of defence staff, while speaking to State House Correspondents, said those behind such a grievous offence would face the wrath of the law.
According to him, “We went to brief Mr President on the situation on ground and we know that since the riot (protest) started, all the security agencies are together.
“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.
“And we can see clearly what has happened since it has commenced. Criminals have taken over, a lot of looting taking place, stealing and all sorts of things are happening.
“And besides, all of us have seen it where foreign flags have been flown within the sovereignty of Nigeria, and that is totally unacceptable.
