Detained Polish nationals not involved in protest, Poland claims

Poland has refuted claims that its nationals, who were arrested by security operatives in Kano, Nigeria, waved the Russian flag during the #EndBadGovernance protest.

The Polish foreign ministry stated that the six students and their lecturer, who were arrested on August 6, did not participate in the protest but “merely took photos.”

The spokesperson for the Department of State Services, Peter Afunanya, had alleged that the Poles were arrested “because of where they were found during the protests and for displaying foreign flags.” However, the Polish foreign ministry denied this, saying that the students were on an exchange program at Bayero University, Kano, and were not involved in the protest.

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The University of Warsaw Press Officer, Anna Modzelewska, emphasized that getting the students released was the top priority of the institution. She stated, “Freeing the UW students is our priority. We must do everything in our power for that to happen as quickly as possible.”

The Polish government has also pleaded with Nigeria to release the detainees, with Deputy Foreign Minister Jakub Wisniewski expressing skepticism about the claim that they waved the Russian flag. He said, “I personally find this claim hard to believe. We are urging for their safe return home, where their loved ones are anxiously waiting for them.”

A former Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Professor Bola Akinterinwa, advised the Polish authorities to be patient and allow the investigation to be completed.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Poland, Omooba Ayoola, has pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to release the students and their lecturer, citing the need to deepen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

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