“To come (be evacuated) to Nigeria to do what? Leave one war zone for another war zone,” a Nigerian resident in Ukraine asked
Some Nigerians caught in the Russia-Ukraine war do not want to return to the country, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, has disclosed that
The Minister stated that the Nigerian Government could start evacuation of Nigerian citizens, who have been able to find refuge in neighbouring countries from Wednesday.
“We hope to start evacuation hopefully Wednesday although some do not want to come back. We are doing everything possible to ensure that come Wednesday we will dispatch planes for evaluation,” he said.
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Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion, Nigerians, especially students have travelled many kilometres across Ukraine to find refuge in neighbouring countries like Poland, Hungary, and Romania.
“To come and do what? Leave one war zone for another war zone” A Nigerian who said he has lived in Ukraine for seven years said in a telephone interview with Platforms Africa after his anonymity is guaranteed.
Confirming that he has moved his family to Poland, he added; “except for the students, many Nigerians who are bread winners living in Ukraine will not want to be taken out of Europe back to Nigeria. The war in Ukraine is bad but we prefer to go to other part of Europe than to be taken back to Nigeria. To do what in Nigeria?
Platforms Africa has earlier reported that the Nigerian Embassy in Ukraine had told its citizens to take responsibility for their safety and remain security conscious, only to reverse its stand by providing a safe corridor for Nigerians who could escape.
According to a statement signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the embassy in Romania had received 130 Nigerians, adding that it had also provided accommodation for them while arrangements are being made for their safe return back home.
“Also, officials at Budapest, Hungary have received and accommodated 74 Nigerians safely, where they are being documented for subsequent travel arrangements back to Nigeria,” the statement read.
During the meeting, Onyema stated that Nigerians who were taking refuge in the neighbouring countries were being taken care of with feeding and accommodation pending their evacuation.
However, Gbajabiamila called for the immediate evacuation of Nigerians trapped in Ukraine, stating that a day was long enough for “our brothers and sisters who are caught up in this crisis”.
