The hunger protests that swept across Nigeria, particularly in the northern regions, have seemingly lost momentum due to a police crackdown on organizers and demonstrators.

Many protest leaders are now in hiding, and the Department of State Services (DSS) has taken custody of seven Polish nationals arrested for waving Russian flags during a demonstration in Kano.

The protests, part of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria movement, gained traction in major cities like Kano, Gombe, Yobe, Borno, Niger, and Kebbi. However, escalating violence and security officials’ actions have dampened the movement.

President Bola Tinubu recently appealed for a suspension of the protests, citing violence and property damage. Despite scheduled nationwide protests, some states, including Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, and Borno, did not witness demonstrations on Wednesday.

Notably, 873 protesters were arrested, and 30 others detained for waving Russian flags during the protests in various states. The DSS clarified that the arrest of the seven Polish nationals was part of routine security enforcement and not specifically targeted against them.

The situation remains tense, and authorities continue to monitor developments closely.