Polish students detained over waving of Russian flags released

The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday that a group of Polish students detained in Nigeria have been released.

The students were arrested earlier this month in Kano, a northern state in Nigeria, after being accused of raising Russian flags during anti-government protests.

The protests, which began on August 1, have drawn tens of thousands of Nigerians into the streets, fueled by widespread discontent over President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms.

The reforms, including the partial removal of fuel and electricity subsidies and currency devaluation, have led to soaring inflation, causing severe economic strain across the country.

Nigerian authorities initially claimed that the Polish nationals were actively involved in the protests by waving Russian flags—an act that raised concerns given Russia’s increasing presence in West Africa.

However, the Polish Foreign Ministry quickly dismissed these allegations, stating that the students were simply near the protest and not participating in it.

After their release, the students remained in Kano, according to a social media post by the Polish foreign ministry, which expressed gratitude to those involved in securing their freedom.

“The Polish students have been released and are in Kano.

“Thank you to everyone involved in the release of the Polish citizens!,” the Polish foreign ministry said in a post on social media platform X.

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