posted August 06, 2024
The recent nationwide protest in Nigeria, which some organizers claim was aimed at addressing bad governance and hunger, took a disturbing turn. Protesters, particularly in the northern regions, were seen waving flags with blue, white, and red colors, resembling the Russian flag. This development sparked concerns about potential foreign influence or backing in the protests.
The Russian embassy quickly responded, clarifying that the Russian government and its officials are not involved in these activities and do not coordinate them in any way. They emphasized that Russia does not interfere in the domestic affairs of other countries, including Nigeria, and stated that the use of Russian symbols by protesters is a personal choice and does not reflect any official policy or position of Russia.
The statement read, “The Government of the Russian Federation, as well as any Russian officials, are not involved in these activities and do not coordinate them in any way.
“As always, we emphasise that Russia does not interfere in the domestic affairs of foreign states, including Nigeria.”
“These intentions of some protesters to wave Russian flags are personal choices of individuals, and they do not reflect any official position or policy of the Russian Government in the issue”
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“We respect Nigerian democracy and believe that peaceful demonstrations in conformity with the Nigerian law are a manifestation of democracy”.
On Monday August 5, following a National Security Council meeting convened by President Bola Tinubu to address security threats, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, while briefing State House correspondents, declared that hoisting the Russian or any foreign country’s flag in Nigeria is a treasonable offense. He vowed that offenders would be prosecuted under Nigerian law.
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The Nigerian Police Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi announced on Monday that, many protesters in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Bauchi and other states, and also, those waving the said flags, were arrested. Among those arrested was Ahmed Bello, a supplier-tailor caught with a large number of flags in Kano.
However, a critical analysis of the flag colors and design suggests that the flags in question might actually be the general flag of the combined armed forces of Nigeria. This flag features prominently in official settings, such as the backdrop in the President’s office, signifying his role as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
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Unless protesters were observed chanting the Russian anthem or explicitly calling for Russian intervention in Nigeria, the accusation of treasonable felony against those waving the red, blue, and white flag may not hold up under critical legal scrutiny.
A professional vexillographer’s analysis could provide further clarity on the matter, potentially challenging the notion of treason if it is based solely on the flag colors used.