By Milcah Tanimu

Former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mike Ejiofor, has described the display of Russian flags by protesters as a “dangerous development” that must be halted.

Amid ongoing nationwide protests against economic hardship, participants in cities such as Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano were seen waving Russian flags on Monday. This development has heightened concerns in an already tense nation since the demonstrations began on August 1.

In a recent interview with the Nigerian Tribune, Ejiofor highlighted the potential for foreign influence and drew parallels with trends in neighboring West African nations.

“This is a dangerous development, in view of the fact that intelligence from the SSS before these protests suggested that they (protesters) have foreign support,” Ejiofor said. “Even if they don’t have people inside supporting it, there is bound to be some infiltration. Don’t also forget the role Russia is playing in Niger and Burkina Faso and their proximity to Nigeria; they can exploit it and use some of these disgruntled elements.”

Ejiofor urged the government and security agencies to remain vigilant and proactive to prevent any nefarious activities. “The government should, using the security agencies, be on top of the situation, to nip in the bud any nefarious activities,” he stated.

He also called on citizens to stay security conscious and report any suspicious activities to the authorities. “We are still contending with internal security challenges, and now we have the potential threat of foreign elements; that will be very bad for us,” he added.

Ejiofor further recommended the arrest and prosecution of those waving the Russian flag, warning that failure to address this issue could undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty. “I wouldn’t say it will undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty as we speak, but the fact remains that it can’t be downplayed. The government should view it seriously, identify those behind it, and possibly prosecute them because if it is allowed to fester, it will undermine our sovereignty,” he concluded.

The protest, sparked by economic grievances, continues to draw attention and concern from various sectors across the nation.