Nigerian Police Arrest 90 in Economic Protests

Nigerian police said they had arrested more than 90 demonstrators carrying Russian flags at protests triggered by economic hardship.

Thousands of people joined protests against government policies and the high cost of living last week as Africa's most populous country suffers its worst economic crisis in a generation.

The rallies have petered out in most parts of the country following clashes with security forces, but hundreds of protesters took to the streets in northern states including Kaduna, Katsina and Kano, as well as central Plateau state.

Northern Nigeria shares strong cultural, religious and socioeconomic ties with neighbors in the Sahel region, which has seen a string of coups and military leaders turning away from Western allies towards Russia.

Russian flags have featured at rallies in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, and their appearance in Nigeria triggered strong reactions from officials.

Security chiefs from the armed forces and police among others gave a rare joint briefing and alleged unnamed "sponsors" were seeking to undermine the government, without providing evidence.

Defense chief General Christopher Musa said those pushing individuals to carry Russian flags in Nigeria were "crossing the red line and we will not accept that".

‘’All of us have seen it where some foreign flags have been flown within the sovereignty of Nigeria, and that is totally unacceptable. We are warning in clear terms, and the president has also warned and said we should convey this, that we will not accept anybody, any individual flying any foreign flag in Nigeria,’’ he added.

Damilare Adenola, leader of the Take It Back group organizing protests in Abuja, dismissed the allegations as "mere distraction".

Rights group Amnesty International has accused security forces of killing at least 13 demonstrators in the first day of protests, while police say seven people have died and denied responsibility.