Claims suggesting the involvement of Polish nationals in waving Russian flags during the #EndBadGovernance protest in Kano State have been denied by Poland.
Throughout the recent nationwide protest, some demonstrators were observed displaying the Russian flag in certain Northern states.
In response to the flag incident, the Department of State Services (DSS) apprehended seven Polish nationals in Kano.
Speaking to members of the diplomatic corps on August 7, DSS spokesperson Peter Afunanya confirmed that the Polish individuals are under investigation.
However, Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Andrzej Szejna, stated that the nationals in question were only taking photos and did not possess a Russian flag.
According to Szejna in an interview with PAP, a Polish news agency, the group consists of six students and their professor who were seemingly in the wrong place at the wrong time.
He remarked, “They were not carrying any flags, but it appears that their act of taking photos was misinterpreted in this manner.”
Jakub Wisniewski, the undersecretary of state at the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urged the Nigerian Government to facilitate the students’ return to Poland where their families eagerly await them.
University rector Alojzy Nowak further emphasized the urgency of releasing the students and their lecturer in a statement.
Nowak stressed, “It is a top priority for me to secure the release of the six African Studies students and their lecturer from our university currently detained in Nigeria.”