Toba Owojaiye reporting
Benin City, Edo StateÂ
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, announced yesterday that the police have apprehended key sponsors behind recent riots in Nigeria, which involved protesters hoisting foreign flags and demanding a change of government in states including Kano, Kaduna, and Zamfara.
Truth Live News gathered that the IGP’s announcement was supported by the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, who revealed that these sponsors have been traced to locations abroad.
Senior military officials, such as Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa and Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, have emphasized that the military will not allow the country to descend into chaos.
In Kano, the state government has adjusted its curfew to run from 6 am to 6 pm, leading to a more peaceful environment. Similarly, Kaduna has experienced a decrease in unrest due to the curfew imposed by the state government.
IGP Egbetokun noted that the police have identified and blocked the accounts of those financing the violence and subversion, both domestically and internationally. He assured that the police have managed the crisis cautiously, avoiding the use of live or rubber bullets, and relying only on teargas.
He clarified that the recent shooting of a protester in Kubwa, Abuja, was the act of armed robbers or hoodlums, not police officers. “Since August 1, no gunshots have been fired by police, and we have not used force on peaceful protesters. We have provided security for them while arresting several armed robbers and criminals amidst the protests.”
In Port Harcourt, protests have escalated, with demonstrators marching to the private residence of Minister of Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike and blocking major roads.
Additionally, six Spanish nationals and 76 others, including a tailor, have been arrested. Police recovered 23 Russian flags and are pursuing the sponsors behind these actions. These individuals have been transferred to Force Headquarters due to the severity of the charges, which include sedition and threats to national security.
The Immigration Service has increased its border security and surveillance to prevent foreign interference. Any identified diaspora sponsors will be apprehended upon attempting to enter Nigeria.
Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, confirmed that some sponsors have been identified but did not disclose further details.