The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a stern warning to foreign countries, urging them to refrain from interfering in Nigeria’s domestic issues.
This warning follows the display of foreign flags during recent protests against economic hardship in the country, particularly in the northern states of Kano, Kaduna, and Zamfara. Several foreigners have been arrested for allegedly sponsoring these protests.
Despite a decrease in protest activities in many states, demonstrations continued in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Protesters and journalists were attacked by thugs who infiltrated the protests, leading to chaotic scenes.
Addressing the diplomatic corps in Abuja, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, emphasized the importance of maintaining friendly international relations but warned against foreign interference.
“No nation tolerates foreign interference in its domestic affairs, and Nigeria is not an exception,” Tuggar stated.
The protests, which erupted in major cities like Lagos, Benin, Kano, and Abuja, have been marked by violence. In Kano, six Spaniards were arrested for their alleged involvement in the protests.
Tuggar called for “continued support from the international community to help Nigeria overcome its challenges and achieve a better future for all its citizens.”
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reiterated the government’s support for peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. He assured that the government is investigating the violence and will bring those responsible to justice.
“The Federal Government has launched an investigation into the violence to identify and bring to justice all those responsible,” Idris said.
He thanked the diplomatic community for their support and expressed optimism that the government’s policy interventions would soon yield positive results.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) is investigating seven Polish nationals arrested in Kano for allegedly waving Russian flags during the protests.
DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, clarified “that the arrests were not targeted at Polish nationals but were part of security enforcement efforts.”
In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the protest entered its seventh day with thugs attacking journalists and protesters.
An eyewitness reported that “police officers did not intervene when thugs beat two protesters. The Rivers State Police Command has warned that it will arrest and prosecute anyone involved in criminal activities under the guise of protesting.”
The Nigerian Army has detained a soldier who fired a warning shot that killed a 16-year-old boy in Zaria, Kaduna State. The soldier is currently under investigation, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has sent a delegation to condole with the boy’s family.
“The soldier involved has since been arrested and is undergoing interrogation,” said Major-Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations.