Rising Concerns: Russia’s Influence in Nigerian Protests
Concerns are growing over Russia’s influence in the recent demonstrations in Nigeria.
Some protestors have been seen waving Russian flags as they demonstrate in various locations across Nigeria.
Authorities in the country have described the act as subversive to the country’s sovereignty.
The Russian embassy in Nigeria has denied influencing the demonstrations.
Protests against economic hardship have persisted in various Nigerian states, despite the president’s demand for a stop to the rallies, which have been met by a crackdown by police forces.At least 13 people have been killed in protests over the West African country’s worst cost-of-living crises in a decade, as well as corruption and alleged poor governance that have hampered its progress.
The Nigerian security forces have been accused of employing excessive force during the protests.
On Monday, President Bola Tinubu held a meeting with security officials in Abuja. Following accusations of looting, northern Kaduna state announced a curfew, becoming the sixth state to do so since the protests began.
The cost-of-living crisis is fuelled by rising inflation, which has reached a 28-year high, and government economic policies that have pushed the local currency to record lows versus the dollar.
Tinubu stated on Sunday that his government is committed to addressing residents’ issues. However, he gave no plan, according to the Lagos-based SBM Intelligence research firm.
Several demonstrators were seen carrying Russian flags over the weekend and again on Monday in northern Nigeria, where the populace is among the most impacted. The Russian embassy in Nigeria denied responsibility, claiming in a statement that the demonstrators’ flags are personal decisions and “do not reflect any official position or policy of the Russian Government.”
The Russian flags being waved constitute treason and would be dealt as such, according to Nigeria’s military leader, Christopher Musa, during a meeting with Tinubu.
Pro-Russian sentiment is on the rise in parts of West Africa, where military that have staged coups and cut ties with the West are increasingly welcoming Moscow. One resides in Nigeria’s northern neighbor,
Niger, where French and American troops have been requested to withdraw, has picked Russia as its new security partner.
On Sunday, Tinubu implored demonstrators not to let “the enemies of democracy use you to promote an unconstitutional agenda” in Nigeria, which presently serves as the rotating chairman of West Africa’s regional group.
Nigeria’s secret agency said it captured some tailors in northern Kano state who were allegedly creating Russian flags for distribution in the area. It stated that an investigation was continuing.
AP
