In a significant diplomatic move, the Russian Federation has formally urged Nigeria to strengthen bilateral security cooperation. This call comes against the backdrop of serious allegations linking a Nigerian resident in Russia to the financing of recent protests in Edo State.
Edo Protests Spark Diplomatic Communication
The Russian Embassy in Abuja issued a detailed statement on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. It was a direct response to claims made by Patrick Ebojele, the Press Secretary to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, just two days prior.
Ebojele had alleged on Tuesday, January 14, that a Nigerian citizen living in Russia was providing funds to instigate riots. The stated goal was to discredit the government of Edo State. These riots were part of larger youth protests in Ekpoma, where citizens demonstrated against rampant insecurity and kidnapping.
The Russian Embassy confirmed it had noted the statement from the governor's office, specifically referencing the alleged involvement of the Nigeria-based individual.
Pending Agreements: The Proposed Framework for Cooperation
To address such cross-border allegations, the Russian diplomatic mission highlighted several crucial but unfinished legal instruments. It revealed that two draft agreements between the two nations are currently awaiting Nigeria's consideration.
The first proposed pact is between the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation and Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Justice. The second is a cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia and Nigeria's Ministry of Interior.
The embassy emphasized that signing these documents would be instrumental in enabling joint investigations into any unlawful activities involving citizens of either country.
A Signed But Inactive Treaty
Furthermore, the statement pointed to an existing but inactive agreement. The Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters was signed back in 2018.
However, this treaty never entered into force due to Nigeria's failure to ratify it. Ratification is the final step where a country's legislative body formally approves an international agreement, making it binding.
A Call for Accelerated Action
The core of Russia's message was a push for faster progress. "We hope that work on these documents will proceed at a faster pace," the embassy's statement read. The objective is clear: to establish closer operational ties between the designated law enforcement and justice agencies of both countries.
This enhanced collaboration is framed as essential to effectively prevent and investigate transnational unlawful and criminal activities. The move underscores a strategic desire from Moscow to formalize security partnerships with key African nations like Nigeria.
The ball is now in Nigeria's court to decide on ratifying the 2018 agreement and advancing the new drafts, a decision with potential implications for bilateral relations and regional security efforts.
