The Federal Government yesterday warned foreign countries to steer clear of the nation’s internal affairs.
The warning came against the backdrop of foreign flags being flown during the ongoing protest against hardship in the country, especially in some northern states, including Kano, Kaduna and Zamfara, and the arrest of some foreigners as sponsors of the protest.
This came as the protest, which had thawed in most states where it was held, continued in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday, as protesters and some journalists were attacked by thugs who infiltrated the protest.
The Nigerian Army has also detained the soldier who fired the shot that killed a 16-year-old boy in Zaria, Kaduna State, on Tuesday evening, saying he was being investigated.
Also, the Plateau and Bauchi governments which imposed a curfew in the heat of the protest earlier in the week, have relaxed it, as normalcy returned to the two states yesterday.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, gave the warning while briefing members of the Diplomatic Corps in Abuja, however, highlighted the importance of cordial international relationships.
Recall that the protest, which gained momentum in major cities, such as Lagos, Benin, Osun, Oyo, Kano, Gombe, Yobe, Borno, Niger, Kebbi, Abuja, and other northern towns, was marked by violence, and that at least six Spaniards were arrested in Kano in connection with the protest.
The minister appealed for continued collaboration from the international community to support Nigeria’s efforts in overcoming its current challenges and achieving a better future for all Nigerians.
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.’’
In his address at the meeting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reaffirmed the government’s support for peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, while committing to investigating the violence and bringing those responsible for violence to justice.
Idris thanked the diplomatic community for their support and assured that the worst of the unrest is over.
He expressed optimism that the government’s policy interventions would soon yield positive results for the nation.
“I want to assure your excellencies that the Federal Government has launched an investigation into the violence that we saw in the last week, to identify and bring to justice all those responsible.
“We are committed to preventing the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents in the future. I also want to thank you individually and collectively for your support and understanding during that difficult period.
“I want to assure you that the worst is over, and we can now as a nation march forward to enjoy the fruit of all the policy and programme interventions being implemented. I thank you for your kind attention,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services, DSS, yesterday, revealed that it is investigating seven Polish nationals who were arrested in Kano over their alleged involvement in the widespread waving of the Russian flag during the protest.
Speaking during a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday with members of the diplomatic corps, the DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya said the Polish nationals were arrested in connection with the waving of Russian flags during the protest.
Afunanya said the arrest of the suspects was not targeted at Polish nationals.
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.”