Nigerian authorities have arrested about 40 people in a northern province for waving Russia’s national flag during protests against the high cost of living and what they feel is “bad governance”, according to the BBC.
The arrests, the BBC reports, are seen as an attempt to stifle any fledgling support for Russia in Nigeria, a leading oil producer and a key ally of Western powers.
Several countries in the wider region of West Africa − including Nigeria’s neighbour, Niger − have turned away from the West towards Russia after recent military coups. These followed the fall of civilian governments backed by the likes of France and the US, which had lost popularity after failing to tackle insecurity, corruption and economic problems.
The arrests came after Nigeria saw six days of nationwide protests, in which at least seven people died and more than 700 were arrested.
Demonstrators have been chanting slogans such as “We are hungry”, while a minority have been pictured waving Russia’s flag and voicing support for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The BBC reports that, according to local media, some of these protesters have called on Moscow to “rescue” them.
Army chief Christopher Musa reportedly warned that it was a “treasonable offence” to fly the flags of foreign countries.
[Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]