Russia Flag Waved in Kano: Nigerians Urge Security Crackdown

Nigerians decry Kano protesters' Russia flag, demand action...

Protesters in Kano wave Russian flags, sparking concerns about national security and foreign interference. Nigerians and government urged to be vigilant amid warnings of potential coup and external influence.

On Saturday, social media platforms were flooded with images and videos showing protesters in Kano waving Russian flags as they chanted in Hausa, “We don't want bad government.” The viral footage sparked widespread concern among prominent Nigerians, who fear the implications for national security.

The images have raised alarm bells, with some interpreting them as a sign of increasing support for Russia in Northern Nigeria. In response, some have urged the Department of State Services (DSS) to launch an investigation into the incident. However, others have suggested that the protesters may be unaware of the potential consequences of their actions, and are simply expressing their frustration with the current government.

Concerns have been raised by some Nigerians, including retired military officials and former diplomats, after protesters at the ongoing #EndBadGovernance demonstration in Kano State were seen waving the Russian flag. This development has sparked worries about the potential implications for the country's stability.

The spectacle has raised red flags, given Russia's alleged involvement in orchestrating coups in several West African nations, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. As a result, Nigerians and the Federal Government are being cautioned to be vigilant and prevent any potential foreign interference or incursion.

While a former Nigerian ambassador called on the organisers of the protest to avoid any external influence saying, “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.”

A retired civil service director has appealed to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to intervene in the situation, citing the proximity of Niger Republic to Northern Nigeria as a factor contributing to the growing calls for Russian involvement in the region.

According to a former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, the individuals waving Russian flags and dancing during the protests may not be Nigerians, raising concerns about potential external influence. However, the expert warned that the protests could escalate into more aggressive demands, potentially paving the way for a coup d'état.

Bashir Ahmad, a former presidential aide, has urged the authorities to closely monitor the situation and take necessary precautions to prevent any potential threats to national security. His call for vigilance comes amidst growing concerns about the protests and the appearance of Russian flags, which some fear could be a sign of foreign interference.

“This may indicate various underlying sentiments or influences that need to be carefully assessed and addressed by the government,” he added.

A former director of the Department of State Services (DSS) has countered Bashir Ahmad's call for caution, stressing that the government and security agencies must take a firm stance and not adopt a soft approach in addressing the situation, given its potential severity and implications for national security.

“In the security circle, you don't dismiss such negative display. You will recall that the DSS had an intelligence report that there was a foreign influence in what is going on and that what the protesters are trying to achieve is a regime change. Russia has no business in interfering in Nigeria's internal affairs.

“We have to intensify our intelligence gathering efforts both the national intelligence agency and the state security service must look at these threats even though they had highlighted them earlier. Citizens must also be security conscious of whatever that is happening around them,” the former DSS director said.

Russia has issued a denial of any involvement in the current protests, distancing itself from the demonstrations and the appearance of Russian flags among the protesters.

The Press Secretary of the Russian Embassy, Yury Paramonov, said, “The Russian Embassy in Nigeria does not have any information about any groups of protesters using the Russian flag or other state symbols of our country. We have not seen such photo or video materials. Even if such incidents did occur, it would be the decision of individuals. We do not know why they might have used Russian flags.

“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.”