MATTERS ARISING: The implications of protesters waving Russian flags in some northern states

Quite often, protesters carry placards with inscriptions of grievances and demands. They march, voice their frustrations, and wave the national flag. This seems to be the general procedure.

On August 1, young Nigerians started a 10-day nationwide protest. It was tagged “10 Days of Rage”, a demonstration to end economic hardship and “bad governance” in the country.

A few days before the commencement of the protest, the United Nations (UN) Department of Safety and Security warned that the planned nationwide demonstration might be hijacked by “groups with ulterior motives”.

The protest started on a good note as people converged in different states, carrying placards. But at a certain point, the demonstrations turned dramatic when some protesters in the northern part of the country started waving the flag of a foreign country. It was the Russian flag.

This unexpected action has sparked conversations about the display of a foreign flag and its implications for the country’s politics and security.

A RUSSIAN FLAG IN NIGERIAN PROTEST

On August 3, some protesters in Kano state began to wave Russian flags, calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin to intervene in the “situation” in Nigeria.

The trend spread across other parts of the north as more protesters, during the rallies on Sunday, were reportedly seen waving Russian and Japanese flags in Jos, the Plateau state capital.

More protesters in Kaduna and Abuja were also spotted with Russian flags as they chanted and rallied around the states.

Reacting to the development, the Russian embassy, in a statement on Monday, disassociated itself from the protesters waving the country’s flags in Nigeria.

The embassy said the Russian government and its officials were not connected to the trend.

Meanwhile, the Department of State Service (DSS) has reportedly arrested some tailors sewing the Russian flags for protesters in Kano.

On August 5, the police arrested nine protesters over the same activity in Maiduguri, the Borno capital.

On Tuesday, Salman Dogo, commissioner of police in Kano, said many foreigners suspected to be sponsors of protesters displaying Russian flags during protests have been apprehended.

Security agencies have also condemned the act.

After a meeting with Tinubu, on Monday, Christopher Musa, chief of defence staff, said flying of foreign flags during a protest is a “treasonable offence”.

“A lot of us have seen it where foreign flags have been flown within the sovereignty of Nigeria, and that is totally unacceptable,” Musa said.

“We are warning in clear terms, and the president has also said we should convey this: that we will not accept anybody, any individual flying any foreign flag in Nigeria.”

Also, Muyiwa Adejobi, spokesperson of the Nigeria police force (NPF), said the “organisers” of the protests were using children to fly foreign flags.

Adejobi warned that those behind the use of the Russian flags in protest would be charged with treasonable felony.

“The Nigeria Police Force has issued a stern warning against the display of foreign flags during protests and calls for a military takeover, categorizing such actions as treasonable felonies under Nigerian law,” the police spokesperson said.

EXPERTS SPEAK ON THE IMPLICATIONS

Kabir Adamu, founder and managing director of Beacon Consulting Ltd, said the use of foreign flags in Nigerian protests is a reflection of the level of education in the region.

He noted that there could be a crackdown by security agencies if the interests of the protesters are viewed as aligned with those of the foreign nation. The security expert said it may also affect the president’s reputation.

“We are part of the global committee of nations, and in today’s world, especially because of the influence of IT devices and cyberspace, a lot of what is happening outside Nigeria is targeting the young population who rely on social media spaces to make their decisions and also learn about things,” Adamu said.

“The Niger Republic situation happened, and several youths in northern Nigeria saw how youths in Niger supported the coup and also showed their support for the rejection of France and the US and the embrace of Russia. So, it is not surprising that the Nigerian youths, who are unhappy with the current government’s policies, are also doing the same thing.

“Not necessarily because they have been approached by Russia, but mainly because they are not happy with the current status quo. So, they are looking for an alternative platform, and, surprisingly, they are not embracing China, which is more influential in Nigeria than Russia.

“We all remember the president’s role in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and how he strongly fought for the return of civilian rule. Unfortunately, a crackdown on civilians in this manner will almost completely affect his reputation.

“Nigeria is a fragile state. If you go to the state fragility index, we are number 14 or 15 currently in the entire 200+ countries of the world. This means several institutional factors are driving our fragility. Non-state actors that are active, political differences, weapon proliferation, and drug addiction. So, once there is a protest, all these factors will play a role. It is beyond what the protesters can do.

“The mere fact that there is a protest in that circumstance means the possibility of these types of occurrences happening would be extremely high.”

Adamu said the security agents delayed engaging with the youths when the proposed nationwide protest was announced.

Speaking on whether the use of foreign flags could lead to polarisation, he said the perpetrators are a small group of people who are a small segment of the population in some states.

“I do not think this will lead to any polarisation. It is just a way of rejecting the status quo by calling on Russia. Yes, it is an escalation and a very stupid one but people are hungry,” he added.

‘A SIGN OF UNHAPPY PEOPLE’

Agbu Osita, professor of international relations at Base University, said the use of foreign flags in Nigerian protests is a sign that the citizens are not happy with government policies.

“It is what you may want to call a contagion, a kind of boiling issue. As you know, in very recent times, there have been a lot of misgivings or some activities in our nearby countries, protests, and overthrows of government in our neighbouring countries, especially the Francophone-speaking countries to the north of Nigeria,” Osita said.

“Directly or indirectly, the protest and coup they had there were directed at the French colonial influence in that country. In the absence of France, which has been playing the big brother in those countries, some other forces have to fill the space.

“I suspect that it is Russia that the leaders of those countries will probably approach to help them with some of the policies and plans that they have. I suspect, and that is why I call it a contagion, that it is the Russian influence that is infiltrating Nigeria through the north of the country.

“Moreover, culture and religion have a way of bringing people together. If we say that, for example, our neighbours, if you have something like that going on in those countries, it can also filter into Nigeria. I suspect that is where it is coming from.

“In very recent times, you will hear Nigerians saying either they prefer military rule to come back or they prefer the former colonial masters because things are not working in Nigeria. It is probably because of that some people are flying some flags here and there. In this particular instance, it is said that it is the Russian flag. It is just a sign of people who are not happy with how their country is doing.

“Seeing such flags being waved during protests in Nigeria is like saying we would rather prefer foreign powers to come and help make things better in Nigeria because we are unable to do it, and that is the height of despondency. I don’t think it has any implication for Nigeria in terms of our relationship with Russia, which is improving from what it used to be.”