Nigeria has detained seven Polish citizens for displaying Russian flags during recent anti-government demonstrations in the northern state of Kano, according to Peter Afunanya, spokesperson for the state security service, who spoke on Wednesday.
Since August 1, hundreds of thousands of Nigerians have been demonstrating against President Bola Tinubu's economic reforms, which include the partial removal of petrol and electricity subsidies, currency devaluation, and inflation reaching three-decade highs. During this week's protests in northern states, some participants waved Russian flags, raising concerns about increased Russian involvement in western Africa. Security forces arrested individuals they believed to be responsible for producing the banners.
Afunanya stated that the Poles were apprehended during security operations conducted by the Department of State Services, but did not provide details about their identities, emphasizing that Polish citizens were not the primary target. Stanislaw Gulinski, the Polish consul to Nigeria, confirmed the arrests during a meeting in Abuja between Nigeria's foreign minister and diplomats.
General Christopher Musa, Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff, described the use of a foreign flag in anti-government protests as a "treasonable offence" following security discussions with President Tinubu. Protests in the northern states of Borno, Kaduna, Kano, and Katsina featured demonstrators waving hundreds of Russian flags, with some advocating for a military takeover. The Russian embassy in Nigeria has denied any involvement in these events.
