Former Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Prof. Bola Akinterinwa, has disclosed that most protesters flying the Russian flag are from Niger, not Nigeria.
Akinterinwa who stated this while fielding questions from the press attributed this to the porous border between Nigeria and Niger, allowing for easy movement between the two countries.
He hinted that the Nigeriens are expressing displeasure with the Nigerian government’s stance against military takeover in their country, as well as the Economic Community of West African States position, chaired by President Bola Tinubu, according to Daily Post.
Akinterinwa believes the protesters are supporting Russia over the West, but are unlikely to understand the full implications of their actions.
The Department of State Services has arrested individuals, including a flag producer, in connection with the protests.
According to him, “the foreigners” displayed the Russian flag to express their displeasure at the position of the Nigerian government which stood against the military takeover in their country.”
Akinterimwa said, “Those who are carrying the Russian flag, what does it mean to them? I’m not sure they know anything beyond the fact that they are supporting Russia rather than the West.
“Are the carriers Nigerians from Kano? My position is that, far from it, they are not likely to be Nigerians. It is only when you consider them Nigerians that you can seriously be more concerned about the implications.
“There is a porous border between Nigeria and Niger, and you have the same ethnic community on both sides of the border; there is no true border between Nigeria and Niger. Consequently, all those who are carrying the Russian flag are basically from Niger.
“They only came to Kano. These are basically foreigners taking advantage to tell the government of Nigeria that Nigeriens are in support of the military junta.”
