Zamfara: Groups warn over alleged infiltration of foreign agents that distort peaceful protest to violent

By Ibrahim Kaulahi, Gusau

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has condemned the waves of Russian flags by the protesters in Zamfara State, an indication there is an Infiltration of foreign actors who triggered the peaceful protest and turned it violent.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Zamfara State Coordinator of the CNG and made available to newsmen in Gusau Zamfara State capital, saying, the protest had started peacefully with the company of teeming security personnel in the state.

The CNG recognised the constitutional rights of Nigerians to assemble and protest peacefully, adding that, Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) allows citizens to peacefully protest and demand accountability, transparency, and good governance.

According to the statement, the CNG has noticed that some of the protesters in the state were flying foreign flags, chanting anti-democratic songs, and calling on President Putin of Russia and the military to intervene in Nigeria’s governance.

“We believe that democracy has not served its primary purpose, but our collective will and determination can make it work, but allowing foreign actors to interfere in domestic protests threatens the sovereignty of our country.

“It may compromise Nigeria’s ability to manage internal affairs independently and diminish the legitimacy of our governance structures. Protecting our sovereignty is essential to maintaining national integrity and ensuring that decisions affecting our people are made by our own leaders and institutions.

“The infiltration of foreign agents and governments into Nigeria’s affairs could undermine the genuine grievances of the protesters and distort the objectives of the protests.

“The CNG also believes that the involvement of foreign agents can escalate tensions, leading to increased violence and instability, particularly in Zamfara State as external parties may have their own strategic interests, and their actions could escalate the current insecurity in the state.

“The CNG appeals to all stakeholders to remain vigilant against the infiltration of foreign actors and ensure that the protests reflect the genuine will of our people and are conducted within the framework of the law.

“While we urge the federal government to review its unfriendly economic policies and intensify the war against banditry and other forms of insecurity across the north, we call on the northern state governments to, as a matter of urgency, respond to the yearning and aspirations of the local population by increasing access to quality education, poverty alleviation, subsidise transport, encourage and support our teeming youth to embrace agriculture as a means of livelihood.

“The Coalition of Northern Groups acknowledged that, the removal of fuel and electricity subsidies, the floating of the naira, and inflation have collectively caused untold hardship to the masses, particularly in the north. The majority of the people are increasingly becoming poorer due to continued devaluation of the naira, insecurity, and unfavourable economic policies of the federal government”, the statement has decried.