Some Nigerians who fled the Ukrainian war and were detained in various camps, have been released, according to reports.
Poland released 13 out of 19 Nigerians, following the intervention of the Nigerian Ambassador to Poland, Maj Gen Christian Ugwu (retd.).
However, five out of the six remaining detainees were said to have applied to seek for asylum in Poland, while the other one claimed he was from Cameroon.
Spokesman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abdul-Rahman Balogun, spoke on the development.
“Unfortunately, the remaining five all applied for international protection (asylum) in Poland, including Igwe Ikechukwu Christian, who had been interviewed by some foreign media.
“They can not be released until the Government of Poland takes a decision on their application or they decide to withdraw the application,” he said.
Balogun gave assurances, that the remaining Nigerians will be well taken care of, despite the likely consequences of remaining in Poland as illegal immigrants.
In March, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, (NiDCOM) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, condemned Polish authorities for profiling and detaining Nigerians and other African nationals that fled to Poland after escaping the conflict in Ukraine.
She added that despite President Mohammadu Buhari’s efforts to ensure the evacuation of Nigerians caught up in the war situation, some blatantly refused to return, chosing to stay back in neighbouring countries like Poland.
“The most appropriate action for Poland to take was to return them back to their countries, rather than keep them in tortuous detention centers,” she had said.