Around 40 individuals in northern Nigeria have been detained for displaying the Russian national flag during protests against rising living costs and what many perceive as poor governance.
In response to the crackdown, Army Chief Christopher Musa has issued a stern warning, declaring that flying foreign flags constitutes a “treasonable offence.”
The country has been gripped by six days of nationwide protests, resulting in at least seven deaths and over 700 arrests. Demonstrators have been chanting slogans like “we are hungry,” and a small group has been seen waving the Russian flag and expressing support for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Some protesters have even called on Moscow for intervention.
These arrests are viewed as an effort to suppress any emerging support for Russia in Nigeria, a major oil producer and a significant ally of Western nations.
Recent military coups in neighboring West African countries, including Niger, have led several nations in the region to shift their alliances from the West to Russia. Civilian governments, supported by countries like France and the US, have faced declining popularity due to perceived failures in addressing insecurity, corruption, and economic issues.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assumed office in May 2023 after a contentious election, has faced growing dissatisfaction. Critics attribute the surge in living costs to his policies, including the removal of a long-standing fuel subsidy, which has led to higher pump prices and increased costs for food and other essentials.
Tinubu has urged Nigerians to be patient, asserting that his policies will eventually yield positive results. He has called for an end to the protests and convened a meeting with security officials to evaluate the situation.
Following the meeting, Army Chief Christopher Musa reiterated the government’s stance, emphasizing that any display of foreign flags will be treated as a serious offence.
The Russian embassy in Nigeria has distanced itself from the protests, attributing the flags to the personal choices of the demonstrators and reaffirming Russia’s non-interference in Nigeria’s domestic affairs.
In Kaduna and Zamfara states, significant protests occurred on Monday, leading to 39 arrests, including a tailor accused of making flags for the demonstrators. Nearly 40 Russian flags and one Chinese flag were seized. Kaduna has implemented a curfew, joining five other states that have taken similar measures, impacting millions of residents.
The Nigerian secret service has also detained tailors in Kano state for producing Russian flags and has arrested some of their alleged sponsors. Amnesty International has reported 13 deaths since the protests began and criticized security forces for using excessive force against protesters.
In a national address on Sunday, President Tinubu expressed his commitment to addressing the protesters’ concerns, acknowledging that some protests had been overtaken by looters. He emphasized that resolving the unrest would create opportunities for meaningful dialogue.
