The DSS is investigating seven Polish nationals arrested in Kano for allegedly sewing and waving Russian flags during #EndBadGovernance protests. The Russian embassy denies involvement, and the DSS emphasizes that the arrests were location-based, not targeted at Polish citizens, as investigations into possible foreign influence continue.
The Department of State Services (DSS) is investigating the arrest of seven Polish nationals in Kano, linked to the widespread display of Russian flags during the #EndBadGovernance protests. The arrests occurred after DSS operatives found the individuals involved in sewing Russian flags for demonstrators. The protests, which have spread to various parts of northern Nigeria, have seen protesters urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to intervene in Nigeria's affairs.
The Russian embassy in Nigeria has denied any involvement with the flags' display. During a meeting with the diplomatic corps in Abuja, DSS spokesperson Peter Afunanya clarified that the arrests were based on the individuals' location during the protests and were not targeted specifically at Polish nationals.
Afunanya emphasized the DSS's responsibility to verify and understand the circumstances surrounding the incidents, maintaining that the security agency operates under principles that respect freedom, human rights, and democratic protocols, whether dealing with Nigerian citizens or foreigners. The ongoing investigation aims to determine if foreign elements are influencing the protests in northern Nigeria.
