In a press conference on Tuesday addressing the recent security situation in Nigeria, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, made it known that the trial of suspects waving Russian flags during protests has already begun as there are no plans to detain suspects indefinitely.
Egbetokun said, “I want to tell you that the trial of those suspects have since begun. In Kano for example, because we have a large number of arrests in Kano, the magistrate moved to the police headquarters and that is where trial is ongoing right now.
“If you go to the police headquarters in Kano now, you will find out that arrested persons are already being tried. So, we are not keeping them indefinitely.”
Speaking earlier during the conference, he urged Nigerian youth to “desist from accepting foreign flags from agents of destabilisation,” making it clear that waving flags of other countries during protests is an implicating “offence of treason.”
Egbetokun said, “I want to use this opportunity to warn our youths to desist from accepting foreign flags from agents of destabilisation. It is very implicating for them to be seen with flags of other countries while on protest.”
“We are all aware that in the last five to six days, our country has been troubled. After the address of Mr. President on Sunday, tension doused. Peaceful protesters heeded the call of Mr. President to embrace dialogue. But we still have a few states in Kano, Kaduna Katsina and Bauchi state, a group of people who started a subversive campaign, waving flags of other countries and openly calling for military takeover of government. This is not a protest but an offence of treason. The Nigerian police have arrested a number of them and they will be dealt with accordingly. They will be given appropriate charges.
“So far, the situation is under control and we believe that after this press conference, those misguided elements and their sponsors will desist from these acts of treason.”
Speaking during the press conference, the Directorate of Public Relations and Strategic Communications for the Department of State Service (DSS), Peter Afunanya further urged Nigerian citizens to “give peace a chance and allow the government do what is needful,” reiterating that people who resort to causing chaos will be punished.
Afunanya said, “We appeal to our youths, to our mothers, to our fathers, the generality of Nigerians to please give peace a chance and allow the government do what is needful. As committed as it has become, the federal government and all the subnationals will do what is very strategic for the nation.
“People protest, but protest can also be of significant good if people adhere to the rules of engagement. In a situation where protesters destroy public infrastructure, pilfer, loot and undermine public peace, that definitely will not be tolerated. There is no responsible government or security organisation in any nation across the world that will fold their hands and allow the peace of their nation be brought down by people who either have decided to be subversive or illegitimately disposed to insecurity and disorder. For us again, we have continued to map out strategies to ensure that whether at this level or at any other level, that any person who is involved in outright display of anarchy and chaos in the nation must be brought to book.”
He further enjoined Nigerians to borrow a leaf from other countries who obey laws because they love their nation.
He said, “We enjoin good willed Nigerians, persons of patriotic disposition to say you cannot destroy your nation and still want to have it. You cannot by any stroke of any imagination be in the forefront of destroying your nation.”
Melissa Enoch
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