The head of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, said that people who helped with the #EndBadGovernance protest and live outside Nigeria are being watched closely.
According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Nandap said these people will be arrested when they come back to Nigeria.
During a press conference on Tuesday at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, led by Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, Nandap stated, “We know some people outside Nigeria who support the protest. They are on our watch list, and we will catch them when they try to enter the country.”
Because of the protest, NIS has made border security stricter. More officers are now at land and air entry points to stop foreign interference.
Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, confirmed that the police know some sponsors but didn’t share more details. He said, “We have blocked several accounts linked to these persons. Many of them live abroad.”
Mr. Yusuf Bichi, Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), represented by spokesman Mr. Peter Afunanya, said that the DSS is watching the situation and working with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit to track the protest’s funding.
“We are working hard to find those who are funding the protest,” Afunanya said.
The briefing by security leaders followed a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and the security chiefs. They talked about the recent violence during the nationwide protests.
What you should know
President Tinubu, on Sunday, asked the organizers of the nationwide protests to stop, especially since it has turned violent in some states, causing deaths and property damage.
The president also held a meeting with security chiefs to handle the violence and looting during the protests. The government is trying hard to control the situation and stop it from getting worse.
The protest has taken a new and tricky turn with some protesters showing Russian flags. The federal government called this act “treasonable” and has increased security measures.
President Tinubu has ordered the arrest of those flying foreign flags, calling it a serious offense.