NIS adds #EndBadGovernance protest sponsors to watchlist
By Kunle Sanni
The Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS) has added sponsors of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest to their watchlist.
During a press briefing at Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, NIS Comptroller-General Kemi Nandap revealed that individuals supporting the protests from abroad would be arrested upon entering Nigeria.
This decision followed a strategic meeting led by Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa, which included heads of intelligence agencies and paramilitary organizations. The closed-door session focused on implementing President Bola Tinubu’s crackdown order.
Western Post reported on Monday that Musa conveyed a directive from President Tinubu ordering the arrest of those flying foreign national flags across parts of Nigeria to protest. The president’s directive was in response to reports that some people were protesting and displaying the Russian flag in various parts of the nation.
Images and videos from Kano have gone viral on social media, showing some demonstrators waving Russian flags.
Speaking with State House reporters on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Musa stated that flying a foreign flag in a sovereign nation like Nigeria is a serious offense.
Nandap said, “We have identified diaspora sponsors who are now on our watchlist. Any attempt they make to return to the country will trigger our notification system, and they will be apprehended and handed over to the appropriate authorities.”
Services to tighten borders
The Immigration chief added that in reaction to the protests, the Service has deployed more personnel to land and air borders to improve monitoring at entry and exit points. She also emphasized that surveillance has been stepped up to prevent foreign involvement in the country. Meanwhile, Yusuf Bichi, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), disclosed that some sponsors had been identified but declined to provide further information.
Bichi, represented by DSS spokesman Peter Afunanya, stated that several bank accounts linked to these individuals have already been closed and that many are currently staying abroad while being closely monitored.
