From Jadar Omoniyi, Kano
The Russian Embassy in Nigeria has reacted to the sudden appearance of it’s country’s national flag among protesters in Nigeria on Monday.
The embassy denied involvement in the ongoing protests following the use of the Russian flag by demonstrators in northern Nigeria.
TheNewsZenith reports that some groups of protesters on the 5th of the 10-Day nationwide protest, took to the streets carrying the Russian flag and chanting anti-government songs.
The display of the flag triggered insinuations that the Eastern European country has a hand in the ongoing # EndbadgovernanceinNigeria protests.
This is in view of Russia’s alleged influence in the recent political crisis in three West African countries of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
However, the Russian Embassy, in a statement on Monday, the Russian denied interfering in the ongoing hunger protest.
The protest that entered the fifth day on Monday has developed into violent destruction in some northern states.
The embassy said Russia does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.
It added that protesters actions of using the country’s flag do not reflect the official position of the Russian government.
“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.
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”The intentions of some protesters to wave Russian flags are personal choices of individuals.
”They do not reflect any official position or policy of the Russian Government on the issue,” TheNewsZenith quotes the statement as read in part.
The Embassy condemned the action of the protesters, saying Russia respects Nigeria’s democracy and “believes that peaceful demonstrations in conformity with the Nigerian law.”
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed the arrest of some tailors.
It alleged that the tailors were responsible for sewing and distributing the flags among protesters in Kano.
In a tweet on Monday, the DSS said it’s operatives have also apprehended some sponsors of the protesters.
”Some of their sponsors have also been picked. Investigation is ongoing,” the agency said in a tweet.
The hunger protest which started on Thursday, Aug. 1, has led to violence and killings in some parts of the country.
”About 13 people have reportedly died since the protest started,” DSS stated.
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