Hunger Protest Weakens Amid DSS Interrogation of Foreigners

The hunger protest weakens amid the DSS grilling of seven foreigners. Read about the details and implications of this event.

Last Thursday, hunger protests surged through the country and particularly in its northern region. However, it seems that these demonstrations have lost momentum due to law enforcement’s intervention against those who planned and participated in them; numerous individuals were even apprehended.

Following the detainment of seven Polish nationals who were arrested for waving Russian flags during a #EndBadGovernance protest in Kano on Tuesday, certain leaders of the movement have chosen to go into hiding and turn off their phones. This is likely due to concerns regarding potential involvement with the Department of State Services.

On Wednesday, Peter Afunanya, a spokesperson for the DSS acknowledged that arrests had been made as part of routine security enforcement measures and not specifically aimed at Polish nationals.

There was an increasing level of violence evident in the protest that spread throughout various major cities such as Kano, Gombe, Yobe Borno, Niger, Kebbi and other northern towns including Abuja.

Violence was incited by both security officials’ actions in certain cases and overzealous protesters or counter-protesters in others.

Russian flags were seen being carried by some #EndBadGovernance protesters in recent media reports and footage.

President Bola Tinubu made a national plea on Sunday, urging the organizers of the protest occurring throughout Nigeria to halt their actions due to violent outbreaks in certain states resulting in serious damage and loss of life.

The protests planned to take place throughout the country from August 1st to 10th in 2024 appear to have stalled due to a lack of demonstration occurring on Wednesday in Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Borno and other states.

After the police arrested 873 protesters and detained another 30 for waving the Russian flag during demonstrations in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, and Bauchi states, a development ensued.

Gen Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, stated that those who were waving Russian flags had committed treason and would hence face prosecution.

Four influential politicians, originating from Katsina, Kaduna and Kano states respectively, are under investigation for purportedly encouraging protestors in the north to employ Russian flags as a means of facilitating an unlawful overthrow of the regime.

Afunanya, the spokesman for DSS, affirmed that the investigation of seven Polish citizens adhered to democratic values and a regard for human rights.

During a briefing with the Diplomatic Corps in Abuja on Wednesday, Afunanya spoke to the Polish Ambassador to Nigeria.

Due to their location during the recent protest and display of a foreign flag in Kano two days prior, seven individuals were apprehended.