Nigeria’s state secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS), have detained several tailors for creating Russian flags that were used in recent anti-government protests in the northern states. This move highlights growing concerns about increased Russian activity in Western Africa. The DSS also stated that they have detained some of the tailors’ sponsors and are conducting an ongoing investigation. However, they did not specify the number of individuals detained.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, described the display of a foreign flag during anti-government protests as a “treasonable offense” following security talks with President Bola Tinubu. “We have identified those sponsoring them, and we are going to take serious action against that,” Musa told reporters, without providing further details.
Since August 1, hundreds of thousands of Nigerians have taken to the streets to protest against President Tinubu’s economic reforms. These reforms include a partial end to petrol and electricity subsidies, currency devaluation, and inflation reaching its highest levels in three decades. The protests have now diminished following a deadly police crackdown.
During the protests in the northern states of Borno, Kaduna, Kano, and Katsina, demonstrators were seen waving hundreds of Russian flags and calling for a military takeover. “We are waving the Russian flag because Tinubu’s government is not listening to us. Russian presidents always support African nations’ development, unlike other nations,” said Lawal Kodo, a 28-year-old protester in Kano.
The Russian embassy in Nigeria has denied any involvement in the protests. “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,” the embassy stated.
The protests in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, come amid increased Western concerns over Russian security ties with the region, including countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where military leaders have seized power in coups. Security experts have noted that many Nigerian protesters believe the cost of living crisis results from reforms dictated to Tinubu by Western institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
“The Russian flags that appeared during the protests in northern states, and the calls for a military coup, reflect discontent over the government’s policies rather than showcasing support for a Russia-backed military government,” said Mucahid Durmaz, Senior Analyst at Verisk Maplecroft, a global risk intelligence firm.
The use of Russian flags in these protests has added a complex layer to the demonstrations. The sight of foreign flags in local protests is unusual and has raised questions about the motivations behind the demonstrations. Many protesters feel that their concerns are not being heard by the government, leading them to adopt symbols they believe might attract international attention and support.
