By Marvellous Nyang
August 6, 2024
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested over 30 individuals participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests for carrying Russian flags in several states, including Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, and Bauchi.
According to police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi, a total of 873 protesters have been detained, including Ahmed Bello, a tailor caught in Kano with a large number of flags.
This action follows President Bola Tinubu’s order for a crackdown on those displaying foreign flags in Nigeria.
Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa addressed the media on Monday, stating, “Initially, when the protest started, they said it was a peaceful protest, but we have realised that there are individuals willing to take advantage of it to cause mayhem.”
Musa also declared, “We are warning in clear terms: We will not accept anybody, any individual flying any foreign flag in Nigeria.”
The Defence Chief elaborated, “The President is clear in his instructions that we do not accept anyone who wants to disrupt the peace and tranquillity of Nigeria,” noting that the foreign flags were predominantly carried by young individuals who were manipulated into doing so.
He added, “We have identified those behind it, and we are going to take serious action against them.”
President Tinubu, in a nationwide address on Sunday, appealed to the protesters to halt their actions due to increasing violence and property damage.
He stated, “Let nobody misinform and miseducate you about your country or tell you that your government does not care about you.”
Police spokesperson Adejobi provided details on the recent arrests, stating, “We have arrested individuals involved in what I call a treasonable felony.
ALSO READ: Tinubu stands firm on fuel subsidy removal, economic reforms amid nationwide protests
He said, “Carrying the flags of a foreign country in Nigeria is a criminal offence.”
Adejobi highlighted that Ahmed Bello was arrested for producing Russian flags and emphasised, “We have arrested 30 of them with Russian flags.”
The protests, which began over economic hardships linked to fuel subsidy removal, saw demonstrators in various cities waving Russian flags and chanting anti-government slogans.
Some protesters expressed a desire for Nigeria to adopt Russian-style leadership, criticizing Western nations for their role in Nigeria’s economic issues.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has also detained tailors in Kano involved in flag production, with ongoing investigations into their sponsors.
Despite conflicting reports, the DSS has denied holding activist Adaramoye Michael (Michael Lenin), although his supporters assert otherwise.
Northern governors have responded to the unrest by holding emergency meetings, imposing curfews, and bolstering security measures.
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang have each convened meetings to address the situation and implement strategies to curb further violence.
The Russian Embassy in Nigeria has issued a statement denying involvement in the protests, asserting that the actions of the protesters do not reflect the Russian government’s stance.
The statement read, “The government of the Russian Federation as well as any Russian officials are not involved in these activities and do not coordinate them in any way.”
Protest leaders have vowed to file a petition with the United Nations over alleged human rights abuses, with plans to bring the matter to international attention.
Meanwhile, the New Nigeria People’s Party has distanced itself from the protesters, urging a focus on security and addressing economic issues.
