The Department of State Services (DSS) announced on Monday that it had arrested several tailors in Kano State who were sewing Russian flags for #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters.
The secret police revealed this development in a statement on its official X handle, adding that the investigation had begun and sponsors of the tailors had also been apprehended.
Contrary to media reports, the DSS clarified that it did not arrest Adaramoye Michael, the National Coordinator of the Youth Rights Campaign, also known as Michael Lenin. “The DSS can confirm that Adaramoye Michael (aka Michael Lenin) is not in its custody,” the statement read.
READ ALSO: Key protest leader Michael Lenin arrested by DSS in Abuja
Earlier on Monday, the police disclosed that the supplier of the Russian flags and 30 protesters had been arrested. The nationwide protest, which began on August 1, is a response to the economic hardship faced by Nigerians.
Concerns were raised as protesters in some northern states were seen waving Russian flags and chanting “Welcome, Russia” in Hausa.
Responding to the situation, the Russian Embassy in Nigeria denied any involvement in the protests. In a statement from Abuja, the embassy said, “Neither the Russian government nor any of its officials are involved in the activities of the protesters.”
The embassy attributed the use of Russian symbols by protesters to personal choices, not official Russian policy.
