Seven Poles were detained in Nigeria: six students of Oriental studies at the University of Warsaw and their guardian – a lecturer from the University of Warsaw. They were there on a trip.
The trip of a group of students to Nigeria was organized by the Faculty of Oriental Studies of the University of Warsaw. The students and their lecturer left for Africa on August 1. They planned to return to Poland in early September – the Polish Press Agency established.
They left their accommodation at night
“Information is being collected about the whereabouts and allegations made against the students. It was determined that their going out at night outside their accommodation was considered by the local police to be a violation of local law. The authorities of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, where the detained students study, are involved in activities to help the students,” said Anna Modzelewska, spokesperson for the University of Warsaw.
She added that, together with the Polish consul on site, actions are being taken to release those detained.
“The release of UW students is a priority for us. We must do everything in our power to make it happen as soon as possible,” wrote UW Rector Alojzy Nowak in a press release sent to the media.
The authorities of the university and the Faculty of Oriental Studies are in constant contact with the families of students. “We keep the families of students informed about all the arrangements,” Modzelewska said.
“They were in the wrong place at the wrong time”
The arrest of seven Poles by Nigerian authorities during anti-government demonstrations that have taken place in recent days in the northern state of Kano, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing a spokesman for the security forces.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrzej Szejna said that it concerns a group of students who “were in the wrong place at the wrong time. They were not carrying any flags (as Reuters reported – editorial note), but they were taking photos, it seems, and that was how it was interpreted. They were not imprisoned, they are staying in a hotel. Polish consular services are seeking their release; they are in contact with both the Nigerian authorities and the students' families.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Reuters quoted the Polish consul in Nigeria, Stanisław Guliński, who attended a meeting between the Nigerian foreign minister and foreign diplomats in the capital, Abuja. “They were arrested two days ago in Kano and last I heard they were on a plane to Abuja from Kano,” the consul said. Guliński declined to comment to Reuters.
The demonstration is accompanied by shouts oftvnwarszawa.pl
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