In a surprising development, the ongoing protests in Nigeria have taken a new turn as demonstrators were spotted flying foreign flags and calling for international intervention.
The unusual display began on Friday in Kano when some protesters introduced Russian flags, though the motive behind this move remains unclear. None of the participants offered an explanation for the presence of the Russian flags.
By Saturday, similar scenes were reported in northern states like Plateau, where both Russian and Japanese flags appeared with inscriptions reading, “We are Nigerians, Russia we need your help.” These flags were also seen in states such as Katsina, Borno, and Zamfara.
The protesters’ intentions regarding foreign intervention are not clear, though Russia’s involvement in African countries with military rule has been noted.
For instance, Russian mercenaries are active in neighboring Niger, which is under military rule and has recently expelled U.S. and French forces in favor of Russian support against insurgents. Additionally, Russian mercenaries are aiding Burkina Faso and Mali in their fight against insurgents.
The latest wave of protests in Nigeria is driven by economic hardship, distinct from the decade-long battle against Boko Haram terrorists.
Demonstrators took to the streets on Thursday to protest against rising hardship and hunger. The appearance of foreign flags and the sentiments of some flag bearers suggest a desire for “regime change,” a concern that has been present among supporters of the Nigerian government since the protests began.
Former Kaduna Senator, Shehu Sani, commented on the situation, suggesting that, “Someone hiding somewhere must have shared the Russian flags to the Kano protesters to raise, perhaps without them knowing what it is or it’s meant.”
