CSOs condemn display of Russian flags during #EndBadGovernance protest
A coalition of civil society organisations, under the Nigerian Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders Council Worldwide on Monday, has urged the Federal Government to take action against those responsible for displaying Russian flags during the recent EndBadGovernance protests.
In a statement issued after a National Emergency Council meeting, the group described the sponsors of the Russian flags as “coupists” and called for their prosecution. They commended the security agencies for arresting some individuals bearing the flags but emphasised that the real culprits are yet to be exposed.
The group condemned the introduction of criminality into the protests, including looting and destruction of private and national assets. They also expressed gratitude to Nigerian youths for heeding their call to stay away from the protests.
The statement was signed by representatives from various ethnic nationality youth leaders councils, including Terry Obeih, President General, Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Council, and Oladotun Hassan Esq, President, Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide.
The group demanded that the government ensure those behind the treasonable act are arrested, prosecuted, and brought to book, warning that failure to do so would embolden them to further plot against the country.
“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.
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“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 group stated.
They added that “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.
“Even though the security agencies arrested some of those bearing the flags, the truth is that they are not the real culprits, rather they are just victims of circumstance.
“However, those arrested should assist the security agencies in exposing those behind the treasonable act.
“Once they are exposed, the government should ensure that they are arrested, prosecuted and brought to book.”
