According to DSS Spokesperson, Dr. Peter Afunanya, the individuals were taken into custody for displaying foreign flags in the North-West region.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has launched an investigation into the arrest of seven Polish nationals who participated in the nationwide protests against hunger and hardship in Kano State, Nigeria.
According to DSS Spokesperson, Dr. Peter Afunanya, the individuals were taken into custody for displaying foreign flags in the North-West region.
Afunanya made this disclosure during a meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and members of the diplomatic corps on Wednesday, where he addressed inquiries about the incident.
He emphasized that the arrest of seven Polish nationals was not a targeted action, but rather a result of their involvement in the ongoing protests.
He assured that the detained individuals are being investigated. The meeting, convened in response to the nationwide protests starting August 1, 2024, included key officials such as the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, a representative of the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, and the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs.
SaharaReporters on Tuesday reported the recent arrest of Polish nationals by the DSS.
Abdullahi Haru, Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, who confirmed the arrests to SaharaReporters on Tuesday, said the state police command had also detained 76 individuals, including a tailor from Niger Republic accused of manufacturing 'Russian flags' used by protesters in the state.
He told SaharaReporters, “The DSS arrested six Polish nationals for their involvement in the protest. It is not the police that arrested the foreigners. It is the DSS.
“But the police also arrested 76 people. One of the 76 people is from Niger Republic. He is the tailor that was arrested for allegedly making foreign flags for protesters.”
“We saw in the reports that the tailor was arrested by the DSS but it was actually the police that arrested the tailor with 75 others,” the police spokesperson added.
In his remarks, Minister noted the recent surge in negative social media narratives threatening national peace and stability.
Tuggar also issued a stern warning that anyone found guilty of funding the protests, whether domestically or internationally, would face consequences.
Earlier, at a joint press conference in Abuja, DSS Spokesperson Peter Afunanya pledged to reveal the identities of individuals sponsoring protesters who displayed foreign flags with the intent of inciting insurrection.
He appealed to Nigerians to remain patient and supportive of the Federal Government's efforts.