Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, thousands of Nigerians attempting to leave Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities are stuck at the border with Poland.
In exclusive footages gotten by Gatekeepers News, thousands of Nigerians were seen stranded at the border between Ukraine and Poland. According to some of the people currently facing the tumultuous experience, officials of the Nigerian Embassy promised to come to their rescue but haven’t been forthcoming on their words.
Videos on social media on Friday and Saturday showed Nigerians calling for help, stranded and cold in the border the Eastern European country shares with Poland.
Recall that Russia fired a salvo to Ukraine on Thursday and announced the separation of the People’s Republics of Kyiv and Donestk. Ever since, Nigerians, comprising more than 4,000 students, have been seeking an exit from the country.
Be Responsible For Your Safety – Nigerian Govt Tells Citizens In Ukraine
In a statement by the Nigerian Embassy in Ukraine on Thursday, it called on Nigerians in the country to be ‘responsible for their safety while also opening doors for private arrangements for those who want to leave. The workings of the private arrangement mentioned are yet to be understood by Nigerian students in Ukraine or their guardians in Nigeria.
Ukrainian soldiers at the border have prevented Nigerians from making videos and smashing phones of those they caught in the process. Some clips were made in hiding to further project the current situation at the border with Poland.
In a call made by a Nigerian to one of his family members, the caller narrated the harrowing experience they’ve been subjected to at the border. “I’m not good. I’ve been stuck here for like two days now. I’m cold. I’m between that Poland and Ukraine border. I trekked for three hours from where they dropped us to the border. The Ukrainian soldiers don’t care about us. They’re only taking their people in (to Poland).
“Our embassy keeps telling us they are coming, but till now, we are yet to see them. I don’t think I can pass this night here. It’s very cold here. No heater. Nothing.”
In another narration by a Nigerian student at the border, he said, “These are Nigerian students, outside in the cold. The Ukrainian soldiers have refused to allow Nigerians to pass through (to Poland) but have allowed their citizens to pass through. They’ve refused to let us pass for two days. We’ve been standing here at the border for two days. We’ve complained, and we trekked for 15 hours to this place. The road is blocked, and we had to trek, but they won’t allow us to pass.
“This is too bad. I wish Nigerian Embassy can do something about this,”
The past forty-eight hours have seen Nigerians stuck in a foreign country, in a war situation. Thousands of Nigerian students troop to Ukraine every year to study for various university degrees.
Russia’s invasion has met an international outcry, with sanctions coming from the United States and EU. Nigeria has also condemned the aggression in Ukraine and has called for diplomacy but has left its thousands of citizens to wander in danger in a foreign land.
Morocco, holding the highest number of African students (more than 8,000) in Ukraine, has unveiled a toll-free line for students to get evacuated from the country.
NIDCOM Recommends Polish Border Alternatives For Nigerians
In a video by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, she said there are eight borders for Nigerians to exit through, but four are recommended.
Dabiri-Erewa said the borders in Hrebenne-Rawa Ruska, Korczowa-Krakowiec, Medyka-Szeginie, Budomierz-Hurszew are recommended for the exit of Nigerians trying to leave Ukraine.
She added that some staff of the Nigerian embassy and volunteer groups will be at the border while there’ll be information provided on NIDCOM’s website for emergency contacts.
Buses Are Available For Nigerians At Border – Embassy In Poland
The Nigerian Embassy in Poland has said it has provided buses at border points for Nigerians entering Poland through Ukraine.
In a notice published on the Facebook page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it said buses and vans have been provided by the Nigerian Embassy in Poland to evacuate Nigerians into Poland.
“In light of the recent happenings in Ukraine. Please be advised that for all Nigerians crossing over to Poland would have us waiting for them.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria is making necessary arrangements for the evacuation of those stranded in Ukraine through the Embassy in Warsaw, Poland.
Please present this as your destination address with the Border controls 02-953, Kosiarzy 22B, 02-956 Warszawa.
“The Nigerian Embassy staff and along with volunteers will be at the Polish-Ukrainian borders with buses and vans to pick up Nigerians from the crossing border points and locations below,” the Embassy said.
Below is a list of the border points and details;
Hrebenne-Rawa Ruska
Szkoła Podstawowa w Lubyczy Królewskiej (zaplecze hali sportowej) ul. Jana III Sobieskiego 5, 22-680 Lubycza Królewska
Phone: +48-729275316
Korczowa-Krakowiec
Świetlica, Korczowa 155, 37-552 Korczowa
Phone:+48-579201775
Medyka-Szeginie
Hala Sportowa – Medyka 285, 37-732 Medyka
Phone:+48-729242516
Budomierz-Hurszew
Szkoła Podstawowa w m. Krowica Sama 183, 37-625 Krowica Sama
Phone: +48-739493541
Alternatives To Polish Border
Like the Moroccan Embassy, which has opened arrangements with Hungary, Slovakia, and Romanian Embassies to exit their nationals without seeking COVID-19 visas, the Nigerian government can also seek other alternatives if the Polish route is stiff.
With thousands of Nigerians still stranded in the cold, dangers and uncertainties of the night in Ukraine, it’s high time the Nigerian government acted to find a safe exit for nationals in the European country.
Gatekeepers News calls on the Nigerian government to make swift decisions to ensure the safety of Nigerian students currently seeking an exit from Ukraine.
