Polish authorities are currently negotiating the release of seven Polish nationals detained by Nigeria’s Secret Service (SSS).
The individuals were arrested for allegedly displaying Russian flags during nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship on Monday.
The group, which includes six students and a lecturer from the University of Warsaw’s Faculty of Oriental Studies, was detained in Kano while they were in Nigeria for a study trip.
They were accused of carrying Russian flags amid demonstrations criticizing the high cost of living under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The SSS initially suspected the Poles of espionage due to the display of foreign flags.
However, Polish officials have refuted these claims, stating that the detained individuals were merely photographing the protests.
According to Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Szejna, “They were not carrying flags; they were simply taking photographs.” Szejna added that Polish consular services are working to secure their release and are in touch with both Nigerian authorities and the students’ families.
Kano Governor Abba Yusuf had previously imposed a curfew to prevent protests from escalating, following vandalism of government property and infrastructure that began with the demonstrations on August 1.
The University of Warsaw explained that the Polish nationals’ presence outside their accommodation at night was deemed a violation of local law by local authorities.
SSS spokesperson Peter Afunanya defended the arrests during a meeting with diplomats hosted by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, citing concerns over the foreigners’ location during the protests and the display of foreign flags.
The display of Russian flags has become associated with protests in some African nations, but the Nigerian government is taking a firm stance, with secret agents actively detaining those seen with such symbols during the #EndHunger protests.
