Crime
Police Crackdown On Treasonous Protesters, Displaying Foreign Flags
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has issued a stringent warning against the display of foreign flags during protests and the call for a military takeover, asserting that these actions as treasonable felonies under Nigerian law.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
This declaration follows a series of violent protests in Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina States, where demonstrators were seen carrying foreign flags.
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According to the statement, the ongoing investigations have uncovered that protest organizers in these states have been enticing innocent children into participating in these unpatriotic and criminal activities.
Adejobi stated that over ninety suspects have been apprehended, including tailors who manufactured the flags and their sponsors. Efforts are ongoing to arrest additional individuals involved in funding and encouraging these treasonable acts.
The NPF further emphasized that the display of foreign flags and calls for a military takeover clearly indicate a treasonable offense.
The statement reads, “As Police Torchlights Individuals Sponsored to Trigger Crisis in Nigeria. The Nigeria Police Force has issued a stern warning against the display of foreign flags during protests and calls for a military takeover, categorizing such actions as treasonable felonies under Nigerian law.
“This follows a wave of violent protests, particularly in Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina States, where protesters brandished foreign flags.
“Ongoing investigations reveal that protest organizers in the states mentioned above are luring innocent children into participating in these unpatriotic and criminal acts.
“Over ninety suspects have been arrested, including tailors who sewed the flags and their sponsors. Efforts are underway to apprehend others who sponsored the production of the flags and fuelled these treasonable acts.
“The display of foreign flags and calls for a military takeover constitutes a clear treasonable offense, revealing the motives of protest organizers to destabilize Nigeria’s democratic government.
“This aligns with actionable intelligence on the tactics of fifth columnists and non-state actors exploiting economic hardship protests to further their nefarious goals.
“Tensions from the ongoing protests have eased following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s address on August 4, 2024. However, some groups persist in subversive campaigns in the form of violent and unlawful protests, characterized by the destruction of public infrastructure and private property, looting, display of foreign flags, and calls for a military takeover.
“These individuals and groups will be treated as subversive agents and charged accordingly.
“The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has directed Deputy Inspectors General of Police for the Northwest and Northeast zones, DIGs Bala Ciroma, psc, and Bello Makwashi, to take charge of operations in the states within the two geo-political zones where subversive campaigns are ongoing under the guise of protests. They are tasked with stabilizing the situation and preventing further violence in the affected states.
“The Nigeria Police Force reiterates that the use of foreign flags during protests and openly calling for a military takeover of the government is a capital offense under Nigerian law. The Police cautions Nigerian youths to be wary of individuals and groups turning protests into business ventures, funded by local or foreign sponsors aiming to destabilize the country.
“Evidence shows that these sponsors have paid significant sums to exploit the hardship protests, brainwashing and misleading innocent children into aiding this campaign against the government.
“The Nigeria Police Force salutes Nigerians who have refused to participate in and indeed spoke out against the ill-timed protest out of sheer patriotism and belief in the government’s genuine efforts to put the country on the path of economic recovery and growth.
“We also acknowledge the patriotism of those who peacefully participated in the protests but withdrew when they turned violent, and those who heeded the President’s call to embrace dialogue by withdrawing from the protests.
“The NPF remains committed to maintaining peace, protecting the nation’s heritage, and working with the public to ensure the safety and stability of Nigeria.” It added
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Nigeria’s 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar has lamented that minors were subjected to sub human conditions for daring to stand up for their fundamental rights by allegedly participating in the #EndBadGovernance2024 protests.
The former Vice President wept bitterly in a statement on his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Friday.
He expressed shock that the horror was being perpetrated “on the orders of the Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government”.
He cited extant legal provisions guaranteeing the rights to protests and children’s rights to dignity.
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“I find it reprehensible that a man who claims to have fought for Nigeria’s democracy and had led protests now demonises those who decide to demonstrate against the effects of his harsh and draconian policies,” he added.
He made the assertions in reaction to a group of minors who collapsed at the court while being arraigned for participating in the #EndBadGovernance2024 protests in August 2024.
Atiku wrote, “A disturbing video of malnourished children being arraigned before a Federal High Court on the orders of the Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has been brought to my notice.
“The horrible scene reminiscent of a Nazi concentration camp once again reflects the low premium the current government places on the lives of the vulnerable, especially children.
“For emphasis, Section 11 of the Child’s Rights Act guarantees dignity of the child.
“It states that, “Every child is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly, no child shall be ‐ (a) subjected to physical, mental or emotional injury, abuse, neglect or maltreatment, including sexual abuse; (b) subjected to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”
The children are being prosecuted for their alleged role in the #EndBadGovernance protests, which took place between August 1 and August 10, 2024. If they are just being arraigned three months later, one can only imagine the sort of dehumanizing conditions they had been subjected to and have been detained all this while.
“I find it reprehensible that a man who claims to have fought for Nigeria’s democracy and had led protests now demonises those who decide to demonstrate against the effects of his harsh and draconian policies.
“Children who are the most affected by these policies have every right to protest peacefully, as guaranteed by the Constitution and the Child Rights Act. A nation can be assessed by the way it treats its most vulnerable citizens. It is saddening that even underage children are not spared from the wickedness of T Pain.
“The disturbing condition under which the alleged accused children were brought to court projects the very justification for their participation in the protest in the first place. -AA”
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Friday, arraigned social media influencer cum critic, Martins Otse, also known as, VeryDarkMan (VDM) for impersonation.
The NPF made the disclosure in a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Friday.
Recall that VDM was arrested by the FCT Police Command after he appeared in a video clip dressed like an Inspector of Police.
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He has also tendered his apologies.
However, the NPF revealed under the subject ‘Impersonation: VDM to appear in Court today, FCT Command leading prosecution’ that the action wastto underscore “commitment to upholding the integrity of its symbols and preventing their misuse.”
The NPF wrote, “In response to recent developments, VDM, whose real name is Mr. Martins Otse, is set to appear in court today following allegations of impersonation related to the unauthorized use of Nigeria Police Force uniforms in a viral social media video.
“The FCT Police Command is actively handling the case, underscoring the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to upholding the integrity of its symbols and preventing their misuse.
“Interested persons are encouraged to follow up on the proceedings as the case unfolds.”
Popular Nigerian social media personality and cross-dresser, Okuneye Idris, known as Bobrisky, was detained by immigration officials late Thursday night at the airport while preparing to board a KLM flight to Amsterdam.
In a post shared with his followers on Instagram, Bobrisky claimed he was injured during a confrontation with immigration authorities and alleged that his detention was orchestrated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
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“Nigerians help me, EFCC just arrested me. I’m badly injured,” he wrote.
The incident marks the latest chapter in a series of legal and social controversies for the social media star.
Just two weeks earlier, on October 22, Bobrisky reportedly faced a similar situation when he was intercepted by authorities at the Sème border, allegedly attempting to flee Nigeria.
This recent series of detentions follows Bobrisky’s high-profile legal case earlier this year.
In April, he was sentenced to six months in prison by the Federal High Court in Lagos for naira abuse, initially serving time at Kirikiri Prison.
However, rumors quickly emerged claiming that he spent only three weeks in custody before being discreetly moved to a private facility.
The alleged preferential treatment reportedly involved a ₦15 million bribe paid to authorities, fueling widespread speculation about celebrity influence in legal matters.
In late September, the situation intensified when social media influencer VeryDarkMan released an audio recording purportedly implicating Bobrisky.
In the leaked recording, Bobrisky allegedly suggested that musician Falz and his father, human rights lawyer Femi Falana, had approached him in prison, requesting ₦10 million in exchange for helping secure a presidential pardon.
Following the leak, Falana and Falz issued a cease-and-desist letter to Bobrisky on October 16, demanding a retraction and a public apology for what they described as defamatory comments.
Bobrisky however denied the allegations, stating that he was not responsible for the audio content and urged the Falanas to address their concerns to VeryDarkMan instead.
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