Some protesters in Nigeria have been seen waving Russian flags during demonstrations across various states.
Authorities have labeled this act as treasonous, undermining the country’s sovereignty.
The Russian embassy in Nigeria has denied any involvement, asserting that it is not influencing the protests.
Demonstrations against economic hardship continue in several Nigerian states despite the president’s call for an end.
The protests, which have faced a heavy crackdown from security forces, have resulted in at least 13 deaths since they began on Thursday.
These protests are fueled by the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation and accusations of corruption and poor governance.
Nigerian security forces have been accused of using excessive force against the protesters.
On Monday, President Bola Tinubu met with security chiefs in the capital, Abuja. A curfew was declared in northern Kaduna state, the sixth state to implement such measures due to looting reports.
The economic crisis is driven by surging inflation, at a 28-year high, and government policies that have devalued the local currency.
Tinubu stated on Sunday that his government is committed to addressing citizens’ concerns but did not provide a detailed plan. The sight of Russian flags over the weekend and on Monday in northern Nigeria, which is severely affected, has raised concerns.
The Russian embassy clarified that these flags are the personal choices of protesters and do not reflect any official stance of the Russian government.
Nigeria’s military chief, Christopher Musa, warned that waving Russian flags constitutes treason. Pro-Russian sentiments have been rising in parts of West Africa, where Moscow is increasingly welcomed by military regimes that have severed ties with the West.
On Sunday, Tinubu urged protesters not to let “enemies of democracy” exploit them to promote an unconstitutional agenda in Nigeria. Nigeria currently holds the rotational chairmanship of West Africa’s regional bloc.
The Nigerian secret service announced that it had apprehended tailors in northern Kano state responsible for making and distributing Russian flags, with an investigation ongoing.
