The Polish government has denied allegations that its nationals, who were arrested in Kano, Nigeria, waved the Russian flag during a recent protest.
The six students and their lecturer were arrested on August 6 for allegedly displaying foreign flags, but Poland’s foreign ministry claims they were merely taking photos and did not participate in the protest.
The students, who are part of an exchange program at Bayero University in Kano, were accused by Nigeria’s Department of State Services of displaying Russian flags during the #EndBadGovernance protest.
The Poles were said to be students of African Studies at the Oriental Studies Faculty, University of Warsaw.
They left Poland for Nigeria on August 1 and were scheduled to return to their country early September.
However, Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Jakub Wisniewski, expressed skepticism about the claim, saying, “I personally find this claim hard to believe.”
The University of Warsaw, where the students are enrolled, is working to secure their release, with the institution’s press officer, Anna Modzelewska, stating, “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 pleaded with Nigeria to release the detainees, with Wisniewski urging for their safe return home.
The incident has sparked diplomatic tensions between Poland and Nigeria, with Poland seeking clarification on the charges against its nationals.
