Around 40 people in northern Nigeria have been arrested for waving the Russian flag during protests against rising living costs and what they consider poor governance. The army chief, Christopher Musa, has warned that displaying foreign flags is considered “treasonable” and will be treated as such.
The protests, which have been ongoing for six days, have seen at least seven deaths and over 700 arrests. Some demonstrators have shown support for Russian President Vladimir Putin and even called on Russia to help them. This is part of a larger trend in West Africa, where some countries are shifting their alliances from the West to Russia.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, who took office in May 2023, has faced criticism for policies that have led to a rise in living costs. His removal of a fuel subsidy has particularly impacted prices. Tinubu has asked Nigerians to be patient and has appealed for an end to the protests.
The Russian embassy in Nigeria has said they are not involved in the demonstrations and that the flags were the choice of the protesters. Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has imposed curfews in several states and is investigating those involved in making and distributing the flags. Amnesty International has reported that security forces have used excessive force, and at least 13 people have died in the unrest.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgl22630pzeo