Vice President Kashim Shettima and Russian President Vladmir Putin Vice President Kashim Shettima and Russian President Vladmir Putin... CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
Amid the protests in Kaduna, where demonstrators were seen waving the Russian flag and chanting songs, the Russian Embassy has denied any involvement from Russia.
The protesters were heard waving the Russian flag and chanting in Hausa, “Welcome, Russia; welcome, Russia.”
There have been concerns about Russia’s external interference in regional affairs, in some West African countries, such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
However, the Russian Embassy has dismissed claims of interfering in the internal affairs of countries, including Nigeria.
In a statement released on Monday, August 5, 2024, the embassy stated that the protesters actions do not reflect the official Russian government policy or position.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence, General Chris Musa, called the protesters’ actions treasonable and declared that any individual caught engaging in such an act would face the law.
The Russian Embassy, in its statement, said that they respect Nigeria’s democracy and peaceful demonstrations and condemned any disruptions or acts of violence that may arise from such events.
The statement reads in part: “As always, we emphasize that Russia does not interfere in the domestic affairs of foreign states, including Nigeria. These intentions of some protesters to wave Russian flags are personal choices of individuals, and they do not reflect any official position or policy of the Russian Government in the issue.”
Recall that Nigerians took to the streets to begin a ten-day nationwide protest on Thursday, August 1, against the country’s hunger and demanding the reversal of the fuel subsidy, an end to hunger, fuel price hikes, corruption, and insecurity.
