The Russian government has responded to reports that its flags were displayed during protests in Kano on Saturday.
Recall that some Nigerians were seen in Kano waving Russian flag amid the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest calling for an end to economic hardship.
However, Yury Paramonov, Press Secretary of the Russian Embassy in Abuja firmly denied any Russian involvement in these protests or any other incidents in Nigeria.
“The Russian Embassy in Nigeria has no information about any groups of protesters using the Russian flag or other state symbols of our country,” Paramonov stated.
“We have not seen such photo or video materials and would appreciate it if The Punch could provide us with such materials if they exist. Even if such incidents did occur, it would be the decision of individuals. We do not know why they might have used Russian flags,” he added.
He further clarified that: “The Russian Federation is in no way involved in the current events in Nigeria. Moreover, Russia does not provide any material or financial support to the protesters.”
This reaction comes amidst growing concerns among some Nigerians, including former military officials and diplomats, who are alarmed by the presence of what appeared to be Russian flags during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests. These protests, which began on August 1, are a response to the widespread hardship experienced by citizens.
Reports indicate that security agents have killed at least 17 protesters and arrested many others across the country. Images and videos of protesters in Kano waving Russian flags while chanting “We don’t want bad government” in Hausa have raised security concerns.
Prominent Nigerians have voiced their worries about the implications of this development. Bulama Bukarti, a lawyer, highlighted the growing support for Russia and rising anti-West sentiment in Northern Nigeria. He noted that the protesters seemed to be organically displaying Russian flags, suggesting an emerging trend that could attract malign actors.
He wrote: “Two aspects of the ongoing hunger protest in Nigeria particularly intrigue me. Firstly, there is a small but growing support for Russia and a corresponding rise in anti-West sentiment, especially in Northern Nigeria. Some protesters in Kano carried the Nigerian flag alongside the Russian flag, and there have been calls from some participants for demonstrators to bring Russian flags and photos of Vladimir Putin to seek Russia’s assistance.
“More concerning is that these protesters do not seem to be affiliated with any pro-Russian group; they simply made amateur flags as observed by @Aliyussufiy who took the first photo, suggesting that this sentiment is developing organically. This trend is likely to expand, especially as malign actors may observe and exploit it.”
A former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, asked the authorities to monitor the situation and take precautions.
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“This may indicate various underlying sentiments or influences that need to be carefully assessed and addressed by the government,” he added.
An award-winning journalist, Philip Obaji Jr. said: “President Vladimir Putin and Russia must be excited to learn that Russian flags were displayed by a number of protesters in Kano in northwestern Nigeria during today’s Enough Is Enough protest to #EndBadGovernace.”
Russia, an Eastern power, has been fingered in the coup d’etats in some West African countries, notably Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
The military governments of the three countries have also pulled out of the Economic Community of West African States being chaired by President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria.
Analyzing the presence of the Russian flag, a retired Brig.-Gen., Bashir Adewinbi cautioned Nigerians against conspiring with external forces to undermine the country’s democracy and security.
Adewinbi described the situation as unfortunate.
He said: “It is unfortunate that some Nigerians are waving foreign flags in a national protest. Our people should be careful; they should not create room for anybody to destroy our country.
“I must say that a coup can never happen in Nigeria. There can be no coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu. The security chiefs are with him and he has educated them. I don’t think any senior officer will come out and announce anything like a coup in Nigeria. We are all united, we are for the unity of the people, and we will maintain it. We will protect our democracy.”
A former Nigerian ambassador to the Philippines, Yemi Farounbi called on the organizers of the protest to avoid any external influence.
Farounbi said: “It is an unfortunate incident to fly the flag of a foreign country during your protest. When you recall that there is Russian presence in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Congo, one begins to wonder that you may be having an externalization or an external indication of an internal domestic protest against certain circumstances.
“It is tragic, and I do not think that is what the organizers wanted. Certainly, that is not what Nigerians want. They do not want Nigeria to become impacted by ideological warfare between the West and the East. They do not want to see a replacement of Russia-backed military action in Nigeria.
“It is unfortunate. Perhaps, it is a reason for the patriotic organisers of the protest to stop the demonstration before it becomes something that some people will take over from them or turn Nigeria to a pawn.
“Those who are supported by this Russian regime have broken away from ECOWAS to form a separate body. It is something that other West African countries should be wary of.”
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