Poland has refuted allegations that its citizens were involved in displaying Russian flags at the recent #EndBadGovernance protest in Kano, Nigeria.
On August 1, protests erupted across Nigeria over the rising cost of living, with some demonstrators in northern regions, including Kano, seen waving Russian flags. In response, the Department of State Services (DSS) in Nigeria detained seven Polish individuals allegedly connected to these actions.
At a diplomatic meeting on August 7, DSS spokesperson Peter Afunanya confirmed that the detained Poles were being investigated. However, Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Andrzej Szejna, expressed skepticism about the claims, suggesting it was improbable that Polish nationals would engage in such behavior in Nigeria.
The detained individuals include six students and their lecturer from the University of Warsaw, who were participating in an exchange program at Bayero University in Kano. Szejna clarified that this group, involved in African studies, was likely misinterpreted. “They were carrying no flags but were taking photos, which may have been misconstrued,” he explained.
Poland has requested the Nigerian government to release the detained nationals. Jakub Wisniewski, Under Secretary of State in the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has urged the Nigerian authorities to permit the students’ return to Poland, where their families are waiting.
University rector Alojzy Nowak also called for the immediate release of the students and lecturer, emphasizing, “Ensuring the return of these six African Studies students and their lecturer is my top priority.”
