The Polish government on Friday pleaded with Nigeria for the release of the seven Poles who were arrested in Kano for allegedly raising the Russian flag during the recent hunger protest in that city.
Jakub Wisniewski, Deputy foreign minister, met with Nigeria´s charge d´affaires in Warsaw where he made a case for the release of the arrested persons – a lecturer and six students.
They had come from Warsaw University to take part in a Hausa language programme.
“During the meeting, I conveyed that I was convinced that the students´ behavior could have resulted from their ignorance of local customs, culture and laws.
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“I appealed for the possibility of their return to Poland, to their homes, where their families are waiting for them,” Wisniewski said.
But Wisniewski refused to believe that the students carried Russian flags apparently because of rare pro-Russian sentiment in his country.
The Central European country has bad memories of suffering under Russian rule in the past and the citizens are deeply critical of what they see as Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Wisniewski said the seven Poles were taken to Abuja and are safe.
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Poland´s consul was scheduled to meet with them yesterday afternoon.
The Department of State Services (DSS) announced the arrest of the Poles on Wednesday and said they were undergoing interrogation.
The Federal Government warned against foreign interference in the protests, saying “appropriate action” would be meted out to any “foreign entity residing in Nigeria” that directly or indirectly played a role in the demonstrations.
Six Spaniards were also arrested for their alleged involvement in the protests.
