A coalition of Civil Society Organizations, the Nigerian Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders Council Worldwide, has called on the Federal Government to take decisive action against individuals responsible for displaying Russian flags during the recent EndBadGovernance protests.
In a statement released after a National Emergency Council meeting, the coalition denounced the sponsors of the Russian flags as “coupists” and urged their prosecution. They commended the security agencies for apprehending some individuals found with the flags but noted that the primary culprits remain unidentified.
The coalition condemned the escalation of criminal activities during the protests, such as looting and vandalism of both private and national assets. They expressed appreciation to Nigerian youths for responding to their call to avoid participation in the protests.
The group stated: “It is our clear observation that even though the protest was still held in some locations across the country, it could have been worse off. But the majority of the youths gave heed to the voice of reason and stayed away.”
They added: “We also condemn the introduction of criminality into the protest, which manifested in the area of looting and destruction of some private and national assets. This is the same reason we had called for the abortion of the protest.”
The coalition expressed concern over the display of Russian flags, saying: “More worrisome is the display of Russian flags in some locations during the protest. This is nothing but an action orchestrated by coupists, people who don’t mean well for the country.”
They noted that those arrested for bearing the flags are not the real culprits, but rather “victims of circumstance.”
The coalition urged the government to ensure that those responsible for the treasonable acts are apprehended and prosecuted, warning that failure to do so would embolden them to continue their subversive activities.
The statement concluded: “Once they are exposed, the government should ensure that they are arrested, prosecuted and brought to book.”
