The Federal Government has issued a warning to other nations to stay out of the country’s internal affairs.
The warning was issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, on Wednesday, members of the Diplomatic Corps in Abuja. The warning is against the backdrop of foreign flags being flown during the ongoing demonstrations against the country’s hardships, particularly in the northern states of Kano, Kaduna, and Zamfara, as well as the arrest of certain foreigners who were involved in the protests as sponsors.
Nonetheless, Tuggar emphasised the value of friendly foreign connections when issuing the warning. Recall that there were violent incidents during the protest, which spread to major cities including Lagos, Benin, Osun, Oyo, Kano, Gombe, Yobe, Borno, Niger, Kebbi, Abuja, and other northern towns. Additionally, at least six Spaniards were arrested in Kano as a result of the event.
Amongst other state which recorded violence, Protesters and some journalists were attacked by thugs who infiltrated the protest in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday, Also, on Tuesday, in Zaria, Kaduna State, a soldier fired the shot that killed a 16-year-old boy.
In order to help Nigeria overcome its present obstacles and secure a brighter future for all Nigerians, the minister made a plea for continuing cooperation from the international community.
He warned: “While the government continues to work hard through the various reform programmes and measures to address challenges facing Nigeria and Nigerians, it is pertinent to remind us that no nation tolerates foreign interference in its domestic affairs and that of its citizens. Nigeria is not an exception.
“The government will take appropriate action against any foreign entity residing in Nigeria that is found to have directly or indirectly supported the protesters by whatever means or seeks to interfere in the internal affairs of the country.
“Nigeria cherishes and continues to value the cordial relationships that happily subsist between her and your countries and organisations and will not do anything to undermine or take for granted such relationships.
“Indeed, more than any time before now, we solicit your understanding and collaboration in the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government in addressing the economic challenges confronting the country, to achieve a better life for every Nigerians at home and abroad.’’
Regarding the massive Russian flag waving that took place during the protest, the Department of State Services, or DSS, announced Wednesday that it is looking into the allegations of seven Polish nationals who were detained in Kano. The DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, stated that the Polish nationals were detained in relation to their raising of Russian flags during the demonstration during a meeting with members of the diplomatic corps on Wednesday in Abuja.
His words: “For the persons that we have picked up from Kano, it was because of where they were found during the protest and display of the foreign flag in Kano that was two days ago.
“As a responsible security organisation, we owe it an obligation to do some verification and ascertain basic reasons and circumstances for some cases.
“They were picked as a result of security enforcement because of where they were when the incident happened. It is not a targeted operation.
“As the foremost domestic security organisation, we believe we have to work in sync with all of you who are men of goodwill, and our operations must be governed by democratic principles and protocol that emphasise freedom and human rights and, of course, intelligence and security governance.
“We obey all of this whether we are dealing with Nigerians or foreigners.”
