‘They were taking photos’ — Poland says nationals not involved in waving of Russian flag

Poland has denied that its nationals were involved in the waving of Russian flags during the #EndBadGovernance protest in Kano.

On August 10, a protest against the rising cost of living commenced in many parts of the country.

During the demonstrations, some protesters were seen waving Russian flags in certain northern states. 

On August 5, the Department of State Services (DSS) apprehended seven Polish nationals over the waving of Russian flags during the protest in Kano.

The secret police also arrested some tailors sewing Russian flags for #EndBadGovernance protesters.

At a meeting with members of the diplomatic corps on August 7, Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesperson, said the Poles are under investigation.

“For the persons that we have picked up from Kano, it was because of where they were found during the protest and display of the foreign flag in Kano that was two days ago,” Afunanya said.

Andrzej Szejna, Poland’s deputy foreign minister, told PAP, a news agency in the country, that it is unlikely that Poles would raise Russian flags in Nigeria.

The Polish nationals are six students and their lecturer. They are from the University of Warsaw and are on an exchange programme at the Bayero University in Kano.

“This is a group of African studies students who found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Szejna said.

“They were carrying no flags but it seems that they were taking photos and this had been interpreted in this way.”

The European nation has asked the Nigerian government to release its nationals.

Jakub Wisniewski, undersecretary of state at the ministry of foreign affairs of Poland, urged the federal government to allow the students to “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.