- DSS had apprehended seven Polish nationals over the waving of Russian flags during the protest in Kano
Poland has denied that its nationals were involved in the waving of Russian flags during the #EndBadGovernance protest in Kano.
WITHIN NIGERIA recalls that on August 1, in a protest against hardship in many parts of the country, some protesters were found waving Russian flags in some northern states, including Kano.
Consequently, the Department of State Services, DSS, apprehended seven Polish nationals over the waving of Russian flags during the protest in Kano.
At a meeting with members of the diplomatic corps on August 7, Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesperson, confirmed that the Poles arrested were undergoing investigation.
However, Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Andrzej Szejna, told PAP, a news agency in the country, that it was unlikely that Poles would raise Russian flags in Nigeria.
The Polish nationals are six students and their lecturer from the University of Warsaw were on an exchange programme at Bayero University in Kano.
Szejna said: “This is a group of African studies who found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“They were carrying no flags but it seems that they were taking photos and this had been interpreted in this way.”
The Polish government has asked the Nigerian government to release its nationals.
Under Secretary of State in the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakub Wisniewski, urged the federal government to allow the students “return to Poland and to their homes, where they are awaited by their families.”
In a statement, Alojzy Nowak, the university rector, appealed for the release of the students and lecturer.
“The release of six African Studies students and a lecturer from our university held in Nigeria is a priority for me,” Nowak said.