IN a development that highlights Russia’s growing influence in West Africa, recent cost-of-living protests in Nigeria have been linked to Russian involvement. Demonstrators in several northern states were seen waving Russian flags during anti-government rallies, prompting a swift response from Nigerian authorities.
The Nigerian government has arrested tailors responsible for making the Russian flags used in the protests, according to the Department of State Services (DSS). This action suggests a potentially strained relationship between Abuja and Moscow, as Nigerian officials view the display of foreign flags during domestic protests as a serious offence.
General Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, described the brandishing of a foreign flag during anti-government protests as a “treasonable offence” following security talks with President Bola Tinubu. The DSS also stated that some “sponsors” of the flag-makers have been detained, though details about these individuals remain unclear.
The protests, which began on August 1, have seen hundreds of thousands of Nigerians demonstrating against President Tinubu’s economic reforms. These policies, including the partial removal of fuel and electricity subsidies and currency devaluation, have led to soaring inflation rates reaching three-decade highs.
In the northern states of Borno, Kaduna, Kano, and Katsina, protesters were observed waving hundreds of Russian flags, with some even calling for military intervention. Lawal Kodo, a 28-year-old protester in Kano, explained, “We are waving the Russian flag because Tinubu’s government is not listening to us. Russian presidents always support African nations’ development, unlike other nations.”
The Russian Embassy in Nigeria has denied any involvement in the protests, stating, “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.”
Security experts suggest that many Nigerian protesters view the cost-of-living crisis as a result of reforms dictated by Western institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Mucahid Durmaz, Senior Analyst at Verisk Maplecroft, a global risk intelligence firm, noted, “The Russian flags that appeared during the protests in northern states, and the calls for a military coup, reflect discontent over the government’s policies rather than showcasing support for a Russia-backed military government.”
This incident comes amid growing Western concerns over Russia’s increasing security ties with several West African nations, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where military leaders have recently seized power through coups.
As the situation unfolds, the Nigerian government’s response to the flag-makers and their alleged sponsors may have implications for diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Russia, as well as for the broader geopolitical landscape in West Africa.
