The Department of State Service (DSS), has arrested a tailor in Kano State over the possession and mass production of Russian flags in the Nothern region.
The secret police made this known in a statement issued by its spokesman, Peter Afunanya, in Abuja on Monday.
Afunanya stated that an investigation into the matter had commenced, and sponsors of the tailors would be apprehended very soon.
The DSS spokesman also disclosed that the DSS did not arrest the National Coordinator of the Youth Rights Campaign, Adaramoye Michael, also known as Michael Lenin.
He added that the activist was not in its custody.
The statement read, “The Service has apprehended some tailors in Kano State responsible for making Russian flags being distributed in the area. Some of their sponsors have also been picked.”
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It added, “The DSS can confirm that Adaramoye Michael (aka Michael Lenin) is not in its custody.”
The police, earlier on Monday, also said the supplier of the Russian flag and 30 protesters were arrested.
The nationwide protest, which commenced on Thursday, August 1, was in response to the hardship experienced by citizens in the country.
Reports say former envoys and ex-military officers have expressed worry as demonstrators in some northern states were seen waving the Russian flag and chanting in Hausa, “Welcome, Russia; Welcome, Russia.”
Russia, an Eastern power currently mired in a cold war with the West, has been blamed for several unconstitutional changes of government in West African countries such as Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, among others.
Reacting, the Russian Embassy in Nigeria on Monday said its officials are not involved and do not coordinate the activities of those waving Russian flags during the #EndBadGovernance InNigeria protests in parts of the country.
In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, the embassy said neither the Russian government nor any of its officials are involved in the activities of the protesters.
The embassy attributed the use of Russian symbols by the protesters to personal choices, saying it does not reflect any official policy or position of the Russian government.
Recall that some of the #EndBadGovernance protesters in the North have been flying the Russian flag, calling on the Russian government to come to their aid.
Over the weekend, photos of protesters waving the Russian flag made the rounds on social media, including a video of some tailors making the flags.
President Bola Tinubu had a nationwide broadcast on Sunday, August 4, cautioned protesters against being used to advance an agenda that could potentially undermine democratic progress.
He said, “Let us work together to build a brighter future for ourselves and for generations to come. Let us choose hope over fear, unity over division, and progress over stagnation. The economy is recovering; Please, don’t shut out its oxygen. Now that we have been enjoying democratic governance for 25 years, do not let the enemies of democracy use you to promote an unconstitutional agenda that will set us back on our democratic journey. Forward ever, backward never!”
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
