Nigerian security forces have detained seven Polish nationals, including six students and a lecturer, for allegedly displaying Russian flags during protests against economic hardship in Kano State. The arrests took place on Monday, and Nigerian and Polish authorities confirmed the incident on Wednesday.
Peter Afunanya, a spokesman for Nigeria’s secret service, explained that the Poles were detained “because of where they were found during the protests and for displaying foreign flags.” This statement was made at a meeting of diplomats hosted by Nigeria’s foreign affairs ministry in Abuja. However, Afunanya did not clarify whether the detained Poles were actively participating in the protests or if there was any evidence of their involvement.
The University of Warsaw confirmed that those detained were its students and a lecturer who were in Nigeria for a study trip organized by the university, as reported by the Polish state news agency PAP.
Polish deputy foreign minister Andrzej Szejna told PAP, “The students found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.” He emphasized that the Poles were not carrying any flags and suggested, “It seems they were taking photos and this had been interpreted in this way.”
The Polish foreign affairs ministry stated on X (formerly Twitter) that it is working with Nigerian authorities to establish “the exact circumstances” of the incident.
The incident occurred amidst widespread protests in Nigeria, where thousands of young Nigerians took to the streets to protest the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation. The demonstrators voiced their anger against alleged bad governance, which they claim has stifled Nigeria’s development as a leading oil producer.
While the majority of the protests were peaceful, some individuals were seen waving Russian flags, a gesture previously uncommon in Africa except in coup-hit countries where pro-Russian sentiments are growing. This rare display of Russian flags had increased tensions, contributing to the interpretation that the Polish nationals were involved.
AP
