By 
In northern Nigeria, approximately 40 people have been arrested for displaying Russia’s national flag during protests against the rising cost of living and perceived poor governance.
Army Chief, Christopher Musa, warned that flying foreign flags was considered a “treasonable offence.”
The BBC reported that Nigeria had experienced six days of nationwide protests, resulting in at least seven deaths and over 700 arrests.
Demonstrators chanted slogans such as “we are hungry,” with some protesters waving the Russian flag and expressing support for President Vladimir Putin.
Reports suggested that some protesters even called on Moscow to “rescue” them.
The arrests are seen as a move to suppress any burgeoning pro-Russia sentiment in Nigeria, a significant oil producer and a crucial ally of Western nations.
Recent military coups in West Africa, including in Nigeria’s neighbor Niger, have led several countries in the region to shift their allegiance from the West to Russia.
Nigeria’s new President Bola Tinubu, who assumed office in May 2023, has faced growing dissatisfaction due to his policies, which include the removal of a state fuel subsidy.
This policy change had led to increased fuel prices and higher costs for food and other essentials.
Tinubu urged patience, asserting that his policies would eventually yield positive results.
He had also called for an end to the protests and met with security chiefs to review the situation.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments