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The Nigeria has announced that it would evacuate its citizens in Ukraine following the invasion of the country by Russia.
According to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, the Nigerian government is planning for special flight operations to evacuate its citizens from Ukraine in view of the war going on the country .
Onyeama, in an interview with the NTA, said the Nigerian embassy in the Ukrainian capital Kiev had been contacted to arrange for those wishing to return home from other areas, including the separatist regions of Donestk and Luhensk.
The minister assured Nigerians that the ministry was following the event since beginning and promised to do everything for the safety of Nigerians in Ukraine, particularly students.
A statement issued by the Nigerian Embassy in Ukraine on Thursday had generated widespread criticisms. In the advisory, Nigerians resident in Ukraine were advised to remain calm and “take responsibility for their personal safety”, amid the Russian invasion.
The statement has been generating criticisms on social media, with many Nigerians wondering if the Nigerian government does have have responsibility towards its people caught up in dangerous situations abroad.
Critics accuse the federal government of having not put in place a contingency plan to evacuate Nigerians like other countries in the event of outbreak of war in the country.
Sola Jolaoso
THE FULL STATEMENT of Nigerian Embassy in Ukraine
“The attention of the embassy has been drawn to a declaration of state of emergency, and martial law on the entire territory of Ukraine, except the Donetsk and Luhansk regions by the government of Ukraine, effective from midnight of February 23, 2022 for a period of 30 days, as well as the latest development on the Ukraine Russia Crisis.
With this, regional (oblast) commissions are to decide on the necessary security measures to adopt in strengthening the protection of public order and facilities for the safety of the citizenry and running of the economy in their domains. It can be restriction of movement, an additional inspection and verification of certain documents of individuals, among others.
“These are preventive measures aimed at ensuring that the country remains calm and the economy continue to function uninterrupted, while it lasted.
“In view of this development, the embassy urges Nigerian nationals resident in Ukraine to remain calm but be very vigilant and be responsible for their personal security and safety.
“The embassy wishes to add that should any of Nigerian nationals consider the situation as emotionally disturbing, such nationals may wish to temporary relocate to anywhere considered safe by private arrangements.
“They should, however, ensure that they do all the needful to validate all their resident documents for ease of return to the country when desired.
“In addition, in case of students seeking such temporary relocation, they are enjoined to seek proper clearance and guarantee from their respective institutions, authorities/agents on the way forward in respect to their studies during this period and/or thereafter.
“For those who still consider it appropriate to remain in the country, be assured that the embassy remains open for its consular outies and responsibilities at all times. it will always avail you of updates when necessary”.Share on Social Media
