Nigerian security operatives are investigating at least four northern politicians over the use of Russian flags during #EndBadGovernance protests.
Multiple sources told The PUNCH that political heavyweights from Katsina, Kaduna, and Kano states were the primary drivers behind the adoption of Russian flags by demonstrators in the north to fan the flames of an illegitimate regime change.
“You see, four principal actors have been identified in this issue. They are top politicians from Katsina, Kano, and Kaduna, and the security agencies are closing in on them,” said one of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter.
“They played prominent roles in the election of last year (2023),” the source added.
According to another source, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, “There is evidence of external influence mainly involving the politicians who are conniving with a West African and European country to cause mayhem and promote the use of the flags we are seeing. They want to do here what they did in some other countries.”
The statewide protests over hardship and hunger took a hazardous turn on Monday, with protesters in certain Northern states brandishing the Russian flag and chanting “Tinubu must go.”
Protesters in Kaduna were spotted carrying the Russian flag and yelling in Hausa, “Tinubu ze soka’ kaa’sa,” which translates to “Tinubu must step down.”
They also praised military forces who patrolled the city, singing “Tinubu yaa’so’ka, mu’na so soja,” which translates as “Tinubu, step down; we want soldiers.”
Russia, an Eastern power embroiled in a cold war with the West, has been blamed for multiple unlawful changes of government in West African countries, including Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, among others.
The Nigerian military declared on Monday that anyone flying the Russian flag is committing treason and will be “prosecuted.”.
It also stated that it is investigating individuals behind the move and will “take serious action” against them.
“That’s completely unacceptable. That is a treasonable offence, and it would be viewed and dealt as such,” said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, following a National Security Council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja on Monday.
In a statement on X, the Department of State Services arrested some tailors who were making Russian flags in Kano State, as well as some of their sponsors.
However, the number of demonstrators waving the flag decreased dramatically on Tuesday when state security forces cracked down on them in various states, arresting them and their suspected foreign sponsors.
Salman Garba, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, said that some foreigners suspected of being behind the protests had been arrested.
