Officials in Poland reported ongoing contact with Nigerian authorities and with the families of the detained students, expressing cautious optimism. The head of the Foreign Ministry, Radosław Sikorski, spoke about the latest information, saying the case appears to be moving in the right direction and that authorities are coordinating with both sides to clarify the situation.
The Foreign Ministry noted that there had been misinterpretations and that the students found themselves caught in the middle of a political dispute in Nigeria. Sikorski described the situation on TVN24, emphasizing that the students were staying in a hotel and that reassuring updates were being received. He also indicated that not everything could be shared publicly at that moment, while hoping the developments were on the right track.
Poles detained by Nigerian authorities
Reuters reported that seven Polish nationals were arrested by Nigerian security forces amid anti-government demonstrations in Kano, a northern state. The group included six students from the University of Warsaw and one lecturer, according to the Nigerian authorities. The Polish Foreign Ministry had earlier announced that a Polish consul had met with the detained individuals in Abuja, and that the ministry was seeking clarification about their legal status as they remained in a hotel and the situation was being reviewed.
The ministry reassured that the families would be kept informed and that photos of meetings would be shared with them shortly. In a later update, the Foreign Ministry stated that the six students and a lecturer from the University of Warsaw were in Kano, feeling well and in good condition, and residing in a hotel within a large part of the city. The ministry added that no charges had been filed and that procedures were underway to complete the clarification process, with the consul maintaining contact with Nigerian authorities and relevant services.
The consular service planned to persist in efforts to resolve the case promptly and reach a positive conclusion, according to official remarks. Deputy Head of the Foreign Ministry Jakub Wiśniewski explained that immediately after the detention, consular services had taken necessary steps to determine the circumstances and locate the group, which was reportedly detained for violating local regulations amid ongoing mass protests and violence tied to Nigeria’s deteriorating economic situation.
Restrictions were in place, including a curfew and bans on photography and demonstrations, Wiśniewski noted. He added that during a meeting with the Nigerian embassy’s chargé d’affaires, some sources alleged that the students may have participated in demonstrations while waving Russian flags. He personally doubted this claim, suggesting the students may have misunderstood local customs, laws, or norms. The deputy minister stressed the importance of considering context and intent in such reports.
Demonstrations in Nigeria had been ongoing since the early days of August under the banner of a movement called “10 Days of Rage.” The protests had been marked by clashes with police and incidents of looting, particularly in the northern regions. The ongoing disruption and security concerns contributed to a complicated environment for foreign nationals and residents alike.
tkwl/PAP
Source: wPolityce