PHOTOS: Police arrest #EndBadGovernance protesters waving Russian flags

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested no fewer than 30 #EndBadGovernance protesters waving Russian flags in Kano and other states.

One of the flag producers, identified as Ahmed Bello, was also arrested with a large quantity of flags in Kano.

The Force Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in Abuja on Monday at the Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee joint press briefing.

He added that the police were on the trail of other suspects, especially the sponsors of such acts.

Adejobi said the suspects committed a treason felony offense by waving a foreign country’s flag in the country.

He said, “So we need to set this record straight. As important for us to know. So far so good. Again, we have been able to arrest some individuals who were engaging themselves in what I call a treason felony.

“To carry the flags of a foreign country in another country is a criminal offense. We have them arrested. Just this morning, we have arrested one Ahmed Bello from Kano State for producing a large quantity of Russian flags given to young Nigerians to go and fly for reasons known to him. We are profiling him. Do we want to get other sponsors like him? As I speak with you, the same thing has happened in Kaduna.

“Thus, as we started this briefing, we’ve been able to arrest 30 of them with the same Russian flags.

“The undertones of this protest, based on our intelligence before this commenced on August 1, 2024, have begun to manifest. I don’t think the EndBadGovernance protest should degenerate to a level where a foreign country’s flag will be flown in Nigeria. And it’s like spreading from one state to another and another place. Are we still having a protest? That is a big question for all of you.”

Earlier, the Spokesman of the Department of State Services (DSS), Peter Afunanya, briefing newsmen said security agencies were working to forestall a breakdown of law and order.

He said the intelligence provided prevented several security breaches and led to the arrest of some culprits. Specifically, he said the department conducted operations which led to arrests, the disruption of criminal networks, and the recovery of incendiary items.

“Some high-profile terrorist leaders, logistic facilitators, gunrunners, and IED experts were also apprehended,” he said.

Afunanya said the operatives recovered: semi-automatic double barrels, cartridges, pump-action rifles, locally made pistols, IED initiators, AK47 rifles, magazines, submachine guns, 20 HW batteries, 132 fuses, eight detonator cables, psychoactive substances, N1,150,000, 608,000 CFA, assorted charms, among others. He added that the operatives arrested economic saboteurs involved in diverting palliatives and agrochemicals and recovered 1,200 25kg bags of palliative rice and 48 bags of rice kits in one of such operations in Katsina.

He added that contrary to public perception, security agencies were not trying to gag the media but rather working to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

In his remarks, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, said the Armed Forces of Nigeria are a stability force and would provide stability where needed. He said they were feeding on the frustration of Nigerians to cause instability. He called on protesters to heed the President’s call for dialogue and give peace a chance.

He said, “The President and Commander in Chief has spoken and opened the door for dialogue, I urge organizers of the protest to embrace dialogue and give peace a chance.”