On Day 5 of the ongoing #Endbadgovernance protest, the Nigeria Police Force said it arrested 31 persons for allegedly producing and distributing Russian flags and calling for anarchy.
The NPF described the development as “treason” adding that those arrested “are not protesters but criminal elements, rioters.”
The Sun reported that many of the protesters, mostly youths below 30, took to the major road that connect Nyanya to Karu, Jikwoyi, Kurudu up to Orozo and Karshi in Abuja chanted solidarity songs and called on Russia to come to the aid of Nigeria.
The paper quoted one of the protesters as saying: “We were anxious and expectant when we heard the President was going to address the nation on Sunday morning, only for him to completely avoid the issues and was talking something else. We had expected a promising steps or pronouncements from the President’s speech but we were completely disappointed.
“The speech was empty. He neither spoke nor did the things we were expecting from him as contained in the demands, and that aggravated us to increase mobilization for the Monday protest.
“We believe that Russian President is the only one that can speak to President Tinubu to return the subsidy on fuel which gave birth to this massive hardship and suffering that we are experiencing in Nigeria. We don’t trust the United States nor the United Kingdom because they have failed us hence we are relying on Russia for assistance.”
Spokesman for the NPF, Mr Muyiwa Adejobi, said at a joint press briefing by spokespersons of security and response agencies at the headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja that 30 persons were arrested in Kaduna while one person, who was recruiting persons to distribute the flags, was arrested in Kano.
Besides, he said the number of arrests in connection with the #Endbadgovernance protest had grown from 861 and the weekend to 873.
“What we are having in the country right now are protests, demonstrations, and riots.
“Those arrested are rioters, armed robbers, looters and criminal elements. Arrest of criminal elements should not be described as arrest of protesters.
“Those arrested so far across the country are criminally-minded persons, looters engaged in criminal offences such as vandalization and destruction of public and critical infrastructure.
“So we should use the appropriate description for them — they are not protesters,” he said.
He also denied the allegations of using live bullets against the protesters at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja saying the police and sister security agencies operated in line with rules of engagement while managing the protest.
“Using tear gas against protesters when they resort to violence is allowed anywhere in the world.
“We have reiterated that we will not fold our hands to see violence again.
“In some states protesters have been so violent; up to the extent they attempted to break into government house and offices here.”
Reacting to the development, a key promoter of the #EndBadGovernance protest, Mr Deji Adeyanju, condemned the actions of those individuals raised Russian flags and called for a military coup during the recent protests.
Adeyanju also described their actions as ‘treason’ and urged security agencies to arrest those involved.
“It is treason to be raising Russia flag and calling for military coup. That is not protest but treason.
“Security agencies should arrest those doing so. While we welcome those who didn’t protest for once under Buhari’s terrible 8-years of bad governance, treason is condemnable,” he said.
Meanwhile, Russia has denied its involvement in the display of its flag during the nationwide protest.
In a statement, the Russian embassy clarified that neither the Russian government nor its officials were connected to the trend of flying national flags during the hunger protest.
“The Embassy has noted the reports in Nigerian media and the circulation of videos and images in digital media depicting protesters in northern states of the country carrying Russian flags and chanting slogans to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“The Government of the Russian Federation as well as any Russian officials are not involved in these activities and do not coordinate them in any way.
“As always, we emphasize that Russia does not interfere in the domestic affairs of foreign states, including Nigeria. These intentions of some protesters to wave Russian flags are personal choices of individuals, and they do not reflect any official position or policy of the Russian Government in the issue.
“We respect Nigerian democracy and believe that peaceful demonstrations in conformity with the Nigerian law are a manifestation of democracy. However, should these events lead to any disruptions or acts of violence we strictly condemn them.”
