Polish nationals arrested for ‘waving Russian flags’ in Kano released

The Department of State Services (DSS) detained them on 5 August 2024.

Additionally, some tailors accused of sewing Russian flags for the protesters were also apprehended.

The seven Polish nationals were accused by the DSS of playing a “suspicious role” in the protests against government policies and economic hardship.

However, Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Andrzej Szejna, clarified that the nationals were six students and their lecturer from the University of Warsaw, who were in Nigeria for an African studies exchange programme at Bayero University in Kano.

Yesterday, Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radosław Sikorski, announced on X that the detained nationals had been released.

His post read, “Polish students have been released and are in Kano. The Minister @sikorskiradek spoke today with the representative of parents, Mr. Jacek Półrolniczak, and thanked the students’ families for the good cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Thank you to everyone involved in the release of citizens!”