Authorities in Kano have apprehended a man promoting the Russian flag in Kano, North West Nigeria.
The man, a tailor identified as Ahmed, was found in possession of several Russian flags, intending to sell them to willing buyers among the protesters.
Thousands of Nigerians participating in the #EndBadGovernance protest have been waving these foreign flags across different parts of the country, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
While the trend began last week in a few locations where protests were held, by Monday, the number of protesters waving these flags had significantly increased.
This development follows a warning from President Bola Tinubu, who cautioned protesters against being used to further an unconstitutional agenda.
“Let us work together to build a brighter future for ourselves and for generations to come. Let us choose hope over fear, unity over division, and progress over stagnation. The economy is recovering; please, don’t cut off its oxygen. Now that we have enjoyed democratic governance for 25 years, do not let the enemies of democracy use you to promote an unconstitutional agenda that will set us back on our democratic journey. Forward ever, backward never!” he stated.
On Monday, the police cracked down on Ahmed, along with some of the youths using the flag to protest. Ahmed has since been taken into police custody for interrogation.
DSS Detains Protest Leader in Abuja
Nigeria’s Secret Service officials have arrested Michael Lenin, one of the leaders of the ongoing #Endbadgovernance protest in the Federal Capital Territory.
Lenin was reportedly picked up by men of the Department of State Services (DSS) around 2 am on Monday at his residence in the Apo area of the capital, Abuja.
The Director of Mobilisation, Take It Back Movement, Damilare Adenola, confirmed the incident, saying Lenin’s house was raided by the DSS and was assaulted during his arrest.
“Lenin has been arrested by the DSS. He was picked up during a raid on his house around 2 am.
“He was arrested and tortured in the presence of his family. We are demanding his immediate and unconditional release.“ Adenola said.
Lenin’s arrest comes after he criticised President Tinubu for being “out of touch with the reality in the country” following his nationwide broadcast.
“We wish to express our sadness and deep disappointment at the latest broadcast by President Tinubu, which is his first address to the nation on the #EndBadGovernance protests, after over three weeks since Nigerians started mobilising to take to the streets and after scores of dead protesters and assaulted journalists from the first three days of the protests.
“This, plus the failed attempt to co-opt the progressive and radical language of the protests, only shows how much President Tinubu is out of touch with the masses.“ Lenin had said, vowing that the protests would continue on Monday.