Seven Polish nationals have been detained in connection with displaying foreign flags during a protest in Kano. The suspects, who are reportedly students at a local tertiary institution, have been moved to Abuja for further questioning, according to The Nation.
Peter Afunanya, the spokesperson for the Directorate of State Service (DSS), disclosed this information on Wednesday, August 7, in response to an inquiry from the Polish Ambassador to Nigeria. This took place during a briefing of the Diplomatic Corps by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, regarding the ongoing nationwide protests.
Afunanya clarified that the arrests were made due to the suspects’ location and actions during the protest, not because they were Polish nationals. He stated, “The individuals were found displaying foreign flags during the protest in Kano two days ago. As a responsible security organization, we are obligated to verify and understand the reasons and circumstances behind their actions.”
He emphasized that the operation was a standard security measure and not a targeted action against Polish citizens. “Our operations are governed by democratic principles and protocols that emphasize freedom and human rights, whether dealing with Nigerians or foreigners,” Afunanya added.
Afunanya also appealed to foreign nations to avoid becoming safe havens for individuals who may use foreign territories as bases to undermine domestic peace and stability. He stressed the importance of international cooperation in maintaining global security, especially given Nigeria’s large population and the interconnected nature of modern security concerns.
