Six Polish students and a lecturer from Warsaw University, who were detained in Nigeria earlier this month during protests, have been released and are in good health, according to Poland’s foreign ministry. The group, who had traveled to northern Nigeria to participate in a program to study the Hausa language, was detained in the city of Kano during a political protest.
The students and lecturer were reportedly taken into custody by Nigerian authorities during a protest in Kano state. According to Nigeria’s secret service, they were allegedly detained for carrying Russian flags. This raised concerns, especially because Poland, a Central European nation, has a tense relationship with Russia due to its history and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. However, Polish officials dismissed the claims as unlikely, describing the situation as a misunderstanding.
Pawel Wronski, a spokesman for Poland’s foreign ministry, stated that the seven Polish citizens have had their passports, laptops, and other personal belongings returned. They are currently staying at a university campus in Kano and are expected to return to Poland later this week. Wronski emphasized that the group was simply “at the wrong place at the wrong time” and urged caution for people traveling to regions with complicated political situations.
The Polish foreign ministry had been actively working to secure the release of its citizens. The ministry also advises travelers on its website to be aware of local conditions, including a specific warning about the political instability in Kano, Nigeria.
The protests in Nigeria, where the Polish citizens were detained, involved thousands of young people demonstrating against the country’s economic difficulties and perceived government mismanagement. Nigeria, despite being a major oil producer, is currently experiencing its worst cost-of-living crisis in decades.
In some northern states, including Kano, a few protesters were seen waving Russian flags. This action has been associated with growing pro-Russian sentiments in certain African countries, especially those that have experienced military coups and have severed ties with Western countries.
Pro-Russian sentiment is rare in Poland due to its historical experiences under Russian influence and its current political stance. Poland remains deeply critical of Russian aggression in Ukraine and strongly supports Ukraine in the ongoing conflict.
The situation in Kano, where the Polish citizens were detained, is complex, and it appears that the presence of the Polish group at the protest was coincidental rather than a deliberate political statement. Polish officials have been quick to clarify that their citizens were not involved in any political activity.
The incident highlights the risks that can arise when traveling to areas with unstable political climates. While the Polish students and lecturer are now safe and expected to return home soon, the event serves as a reminder to travelers to stay informed about local conditions and exercise caution. The Polish foreign ministry continues to provide guidance to its citizens abroad and stresses the importance of awareness when traveling to politically sensitive regions.
