The Poles were arrested in the northern city of Kano for participating in protests against the government which turned violent. They were accused of waving Russian flags during the demonstration.

The Polish foreign ministry said they had not been taking part in protests but were merely taking photos, adding that consular services are in touch with the detained students.

The University of Warsaw’s press office said the university’s rector, Alojzy Nowak, is also in contact with the detainees. A university spokesperson said that immediately after learning of the detentions, the rector had ordered “wide-ranging actions to clarify the matter, free the students and support their families.”

The students were studying African Studies within the Oriental Studies faculty, which organized the trip. The group left for Nigeria on August 1 and planned to return to Poland in early September, the Polish state news service PAP reported.

The university’s press officer, Anna Modzelewska, said information was being gathered on the group’s location and the charges against them. She said it had been so far established that by leaving their accommodation at night, the group had breached local security rules.

“Freeing the UW [University of Warsaw] students is our priority,” Modzelewska said. “We must do everything in our power for that to happen as quickly as possible.”

She also said university authorities were in constant contact with the students’ families and were keeping them informed of developments.

Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Szejna told PAP the group had merely been “in the wrong place at the wrong time” and refuted reports that they had been waving flags.