We are in contact with the Nigerian authorities and with the parents of the detained students; I hope the case is on the right track, said the head of the Foreign Ministry, Radosław Sikorski, when asked about new information about detained Polish students in Nigeria.
We are in contact with the Nigerian authorities on the one hand and with the families of the students on the other. I think there was a misunderstanding. They were unlucky to be in the middle of the political controversy in Nigeria
— Sikorski said on TVN24 on Monday.
The students are in the hotel, we are receiving reassuring messages
– the minister added. He noted that he could not say everything.
But it seems like – I don’t want to curse it – but I hope things are on the right track
– stressed the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Poles arrested by Nigerian authorities
The arrest of seven Poles by Nigerian authorities during anti-government demonstrations that have taken place in the northern state of Kano in recent days was reported by Reuters on Wednesday, citing a spokesman for the Nigerian security forces. These are six students from the University of Warsaw and their teacher.
Last Friday, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Polish consul had met with detained Polish students in Abuja.
They are staying in a hotel; The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is seeking clarification about their legal situation
– he said. Sikorski also thanked the Nigerian authorities for their cooperation so far.
Families will be kept informed; they will receive photos of the meeting shortly
– assured the minister.
In a later statement, the Foreign Ministry said a group of six students and a lecturer in African studies from the University of Warsaw who were held in the northern Nigerian city of Kano were “feeling well and in good condition.”
They currently live in a hotel in a large part of the city
– we read in the announcement.
As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed: “No charges have been filed against them, procedures are underway to complete the explanation process.” The ministry also assured that the consul remains in contact with the Nigerian authorities and relevant services.
The consular service will continue its efforts to clarify the case as soon as possible and bring it to a positive conclusion
– marked.
On Friday, Deputy Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jakub Wiśniewski assured at a press conference that immediately after the detention of the Poles, the Polish consular services took the necessary measures to establish the circumstances of the incident and the whereabouts of the group that was allegedly detained for violating local regulations. As he explained, restrictions are currently in force in Nigeria due to the ongoing mass and violent riots across the country against the deteriorating economic situation of the country.
There is a curfew, photography and demonstrations are prohibited
– he explained.
Wiśniewski also said that during the meeting with the Nigerian embassy’s charge d’affaires on Friday, he heard that, according to some sources, students would take part in the demonstration, “waving” Russian flags.
Personally I don’t believe it. During the meeting I said that I was convinced that the students’ behavior could be the result of their ignorance of local customs, culture and laws.
– the deputy minister stressed.
Demonstrations in Nigeria have been going on since early August as part of an action called “10 Days of Rage” by organizers. The protests have been accompanied by clashes with police and looting, especially in the north of the country.
tkwl/PAP
Source: wPolityce
Emma Matthew is a political analyst for “Social Bites”. With a keen understanding of the inner workings of government and a passion for politics, she provides insightful and informative coverage of the latest political developments.