Following the arrest of seven Polish nationals for waving Russian flags at the rally in Kano on Tuesday, some leaders of the #EndBadGovernance movement have also gone into hiding and turned off their phones.
Peter Afunanya, a spokesman for the DSS, confirmed the arrests on Wednesday and clarified that they were a routine security measure rather than a deliberate attempt to target Polish citizens.
Growing violence accompanied the protests, which gained traction in key cities including Kano, Gombe, Yobe, Borno, Niger, Kebbi, Abuja, and other northern towns.
Violence was sometimes started by the actions of security personnel, while other times it was the result of irrational protestors or counterprotesters.
A few days ago, several #EndBadGovernance demonstrators were seen waving Russian flags in media reports and footage.
President Bola Tinubu begged the protest organizers to halt the statewide demonstration on Sunday in a national broadcast, citing violent outbursts in several areas that resulted in casualties and property damage.
The statewide protests that were supposed to take place between August 1 and August 10, 2024, appear to have failed, though, as on Wednesday there was no demonstration in Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Borno, or any other state.
This came about after police in the states of Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, and Bauchi detained 30 demonstrators and arrested 873 others for flying the Russian flag during the demonstration.
The people flying Russian flags were engaging in treason, according to Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa, who also threatened to prosecute them.
Four political heavyweights from Katsina, Kaduna, and Kano states were reportedly under investigation for allegedly encouraging protesters in the north to use Russian flags to plan an illegal regime change.
The DSS spokesman, Afunanya, confirmed the investigation into the seven Polish nationals and clarified that the action was compliant with democratic values and human rights.
Afunanya spoke with the Polish Ambassador to Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja during a briefing with the Diplomatic Corps.
Seven individuals were taken from Kano due to their location during the demonstration and foreign flag display that took place in Kano two days prior.
As a responsible security organization, we have a duty to investigate such cases and determine the fundamental causes and conditions.
Security personnel selected them based on their whereabouts at the time of the occurrence. The representative clarified that the operation is not targeted.
In addition, he made an appeal for international collaboration in preserving world stability, imploring other countries to forbid the use of their nationals as tools to undermine internal peace in any nation.
“As the leading domestic security organization, we feel we have to work in tandem with all of you who are men and county of goodwill,” Afunanya continued.
“Democratic norms and protocols that prioritize freedom and human rights, as well as, of course, intelligence and security governance, must guide our actions. Whether we are interacting with foreigners or Nigerians, we adhere to all of these.
But we need your help. While performing our duties, we also observe that some Nigerians would undoubtedly try to attack home peace and stability from foreign soil.
“In today’s global pursuit, we beg that you not provide your country to those individuals who may be deviant or have a terrorist propensity; anything that occurs in one country has an impact on other countries. Given Nigeria’s size and population, I think other nations will be willing to support
In the meantime, to resolve the tension brought on by the hunger protests, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Economic Community of West African States have called for dialogue.
This occurred as the world community emphasized the significance of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms for the success of Nigeria in the future and voiced support for them.
Diplomatic Corps
During a briefing held for the Diplomatic Corps on Wednesday in Abuja, the British High Commissioner, Richard Montgomery, and his US counterpart, Ambassador Richard Mills, emphasized the significance of sustaining communication and peace-building initiatives to tackle the concerns brought forth by the demonstrators.
The purpose of the meeting was to inform the world about the country’s economic woes and the protests around them. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the meeting.
The ambassadors encouraged more communication to address the concerns of the populace while also applauding the Nigerian government’s dedication to reform.
Montgomery highlighted the security agencies’ lack of using deadly force while praising them for their moderation in handling the protesters.
“I applaud the police agencies and cooperation for refraining from using deadly force. We have made it quite clear that we are committed to facilitating a peaceful process and to policing proportionately, even if this is a large and complex scenario.
Additionally, I simply wanted to officially acknowledge our gratitude for some of the handlings. We are quite sympathetic to those who are going through a lot of difficulty. Given the hardships people in Nigeria endure, I support my colleagues’ interest in the conversation and peace-building that must continue, especially in light of the significant amount of inflation.
Montgomery stated, “But I also want it on record that we fully support the big and important economic reforms that are currently underway in Nigeria, which we see as essential for the country’s future prosperity and, in fact, the economic relationships that many of us here have with this major power.”
Mills offered his sympathies for the losses brought on by the current circumstances.
He restated US support for the essential changes carried out by the Tinubu government.
“I appreciate you getting us together for this insightful and helpful briefing. I would also like to use this opportunity to convey the condolences of my embassy for the deaths and suffering that Nigeria has endured in the last few days.
“And allow me to reiterate the remarks made by my British colleague, which is that we recognize the challenges faced by the reforms President Tinubu and his government have implemented.
Mills said, “We have supported and collaborated with the administration as they have carried out these reforms because we know they are necessary.”
The ECOWAS Commission weighed in on the march and bemoaned the reports of violence, fatalities, and property destruction. The commission voiced grave worry over the demonstration.
The freedom of citizens to peaceful protests, as guaranteed by Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and the 2001 ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, was emphasized by ECOWAS in a statement on Tuesday.
The Federal Republic of Nigerian citizens have been conducting protests, and the ECOWAS Commission has been closely observing them. The Commission is extremely sorry to hear about reports of violence during the protests, the tragic deaths of some protestors, and the purported looting and destruction of both public and private property.
“The commission expresses its sincere condolences to the relatives of the deceased and its sympathies to the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s government and people for their losses.
According to the 2001 ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, “the ECOWAS Commission recognizes the right of citizens to peaceful protests,” the statement said in part.
The committee also praised the President’s nationwide broadcast, in which he urged all parties involved—including the protestors—to respond to Tinubu’s invitation for inclusive conversation aimed at resolving their concerns and preserving security and peace in both Nigeria and the broader ECOWAS region.
“The commission urges the protestors and all stakeholders to heed the President’s call for inclusive dialogue for the resolution of all grievances and the preservation of peace and security in Nigeria and the ECOWAS region at large,” the statement continued. “The commission welcomes H.E. President Bola Tinubu’s State of the Nation address on August 4, 2024.”
Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano, claims that intelligence failures resulted in attacks on both public and private property during the state’s demonstration, even as the police and DSS continued to crack down on demonstrators.
Hoodlums took advantage of the nonviolent demonstration by attacking and looting a number of public spaces and private establishments.
Speaking on Wednesday during an inspection tour to the NCC Digital Industrial Park, the Kano Printing Press, and Barakat Stores, the Emir claimed that days in advance of the planned attack on some state-run facilities, the security services had been informed of the plan.
As we used to say, “Anyone who was involved is an enemy of Kano and he is an enemy of its people,” he declared. Whoever observed what happened in Kano understood it was all part of the plan. Although Kano was supposed to be destroyed, we pray that God will keep them from becoming successful. All that was gone, may God restore; all we can do is pray.
“The security personnel were informed in writing before this occurred, but rather than taking anything to stop it, it was permitted to occur. Everyone will see the outcome: those who performed poorly know, and those who performed well know. We ask God to allow the authorities the chance to give it back.
This was the Kano Printing Press, where my grandfather had worked. It is regrettable that their grandkids would ruin such a location.
“We pray that God intervenes on behalf of these young people, and that God will deal with those who are responsible. We hope that we won’t see something similar in the future. I vouch for the All-Powerful God that those determined to destroy Kano will fail, and with God’s grace, they will leave things exactly as they found them.
The state government has obtained the minister’s agreement to restore the looted facilities, according to Muhammad Othman, Commissioner of the Ministry of Science and Technology.
In a news conference two days following the occurrence, the monarch had expressed her deep worry over it.
Serving the state ever since its founding in 1938 is the Kano Printing Press.
This week, the NCC center was supposed to be put into service when it was vandalized and part of the structure caught fire.
Lifted curfew
Authorities enforced a curfew to regulate the situation, but it has been partially removed in certain northern regions as the intensity surrounding the demonstration has eased.
After the most recent meeting of the Security Council in Borno State, during which the curfew was temporarily lifted, demonstrators left the streets and went back to their regular activities.
The state capital of Maiduguri is still well guarded in key areas, but according to Prof. Usman Tar, the Commissioner of Internal Security, the city would continue to be monitored by security personnel to stop any future bloodshed.
The commissioner clarified that the curfew would only be lifted temporarily until it was established that there was complete peace in Maiduguri and the surrounding areas.
A police source did, however, affirm that the curfew had contributed to quelling the demonstration in the city.
The policeman stated, “Since the curfew was lifted last Saturday, we have not heard of or seen any protests in Maiduguri.”
Jeremiah Blessing, a resident of Maiduguri, acknowledged that “Maiduguri is now peaceful with less tension” and expressed gratitude for the state government’s and security services’ efforts in upholding law and order in the area.
Despite earlier preparations to lift the 24-hour curfew placed on Kaduna and Zaria towns, the State Security Council was forced to extend it after a boy’s killing in the city of Kaduna heightened tensions.
According to a security source, the government was hesitant because they were worried about a possible escalation after a 16-year-old boy was killed by a soldier in Zaria.
According to the source, the southern region of the state, whose people either refrained from participating in the protests or remained calm during them, was deemed satisfactory by the authorities.
Nonetheless, the authorities was hesitant to reconsider the curfew due to the reported looting and property destruction.
Authorities have identified people who are suspected of producing and dispersing foreign flags—some of whom may have used minors in the process—and an inquiry is currently underway.
The source stated that “the curfew stays in place as the government prioritizes maintaining security and order in the affected areas.”
Speaking on the diminishing demonstrations, Damilare Adenola, the Take It Back Movement’s Director of Mobilization, maintained that the problem was the government’s crackdown on activists and protestors.
“The demonstration hasn’t stopped. The activist said, “We ought to be discussing how the government consistently stifles free expression, making it dangerous for individuals and activists to voice their human rights.
Facebook Comments