Several tailors in Nigeria have been detained for their involvement in making Russian flags that were used during anti-government protests in northern states, according to the state secret police. This move has raised concerns about increased Russian influence in Western Africa.
The Department of State Services confirmed the arrests in a statement, mentioning that they had also detained some of the tailors’ “sponsors”. The investigation is ongoing, but details about the number of individuals detained have not been disclosed.
The use of Russian flags during the protests has brought attention to the potential foreign involvement in the country’s internal affairs. The Nigerian government is likely looking to prevent any destabilizing actions, particularly as tensions rise between protesters and authorities.
This incident highlights the complexity of navigating political dissent in Nigeria, as well as the impact of international actors on domestic issues. The question of who is behind the making and distribution of these flags remains unanswered, but the government’s swift action in detaining those involved suggests a crackdown on potential threats to national security.
The situation in Nigeria continues to unfold, with many watching closely to see how the government will handle these developments and what, if any, implications they may have for future protests and demonstrations.
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Video “Nigeria detains tailors who made Russian flags for anti-government protests • FRANCE 24 English” was uploaded on 08/07/2024 to Youtube Channel FRANCE 24 English