Sponsors of 'Russian flag Protesters' must not go unpunished — Youth group

The Nigerian Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders Council Worldwide (NENYLCW)urged the Federal Government on Sunday to ensure that those behind the use of Russian flags during the EndBadGovernance protests are brought to book.

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The group made its stance known in a statement issued on Sunday after their emergency meeting.

The statement was signed by Comrade Terry Obeih, President General, Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Council/NENYLCW; Alhaji Balarabe Rufai, President, Northern Youth Council/Vice President, NENYLCW; Aare Oladotun Hassan Esq, President, Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide/Secretary General, NENYLCW; Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, National President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide/Publicity Secretary, NENYLCW; Comrade Emmanuel Zopmal, President, Middle-Belt Youth Council/Organising Secretary, NENYLCW; and Alhaji Hamisu Dass, President, North-East Youth Assembly/Treasurer, NENYLCW.

The youth leaders, who described the sponsors of the Russian flags as “coupists,” noted that the security agencies should stop at nothing to bring them to book.

“We want to first of all thank the Nigerian youths for heeding our call not to join the nationwide protest.

“It is our clear observation that even though the protest still held in some locations across the country, it could have been worse. But the majority of the youths heeded the voice of reason and stayed away.

“We also condemn the introduction of criminality into the protest, which manifested in the 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.

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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.

“Anything less than this would give them an air of freedom to further plot against the country,” the youth leaders demanded.