Nigerian Govt Places Hunger Protest Sponsors on Watchlist

The Nigerian government places sponsors of hunger protests on a watchlist. Learn more about the reasons and implications of this move.

Individuals suspected to be financing the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests from overseas have been targeted by the Nigerian Government, as they are placed on a watchlist.

On Tuesday, at a strategic meeting held in Abuja’s Defence Headquarters and convened by Gen. Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, Kemi Nandap – the Comptroller-General of Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS) – made an announcement.

According to Nandap, any diaspora sponsors attempting to enter Nigeria will be arrested. “We have our eye on these sponsors in the Diaspora and they are on our watchlist,” she said. “If we receive notification of their attempt to come into the country, we’ll apprehend them and turn them over to the proper authorities.”

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The NIS has ramped up the placement of officers at land borders and airports, in reaction to protestors. This measure is meant to guarantee effective monitoring of entry and exit points. In addition, the agency has intensified its surveillance efforts aimed at forestalling any form of foreign intervention in domestic affairs.

According to the spokesperson for the Department of State Services (DSS), Peter Afunanya, Yusuf Bichi – who heads the agency – has disclosed that certain individuals backing protests have been pinpointed. The DSS is closely monitoring several people operating bank accounts connected with these sponsors; many reside outside of Nigeria and are subject to close scrutiny following account freezes.

The ongoing protests have prompted President Bola Tinubu to order a crackdown. To carry out the directive, the Defence Chief is working with leaders of intelligence and security agencies.

The purpose of the meeting behind closed doors was to plan and strategize regarding carrying out an order for a crackdown, aiming at maintaining national security and stability.