On Thursday, many persons across the world woke up to reports that Russia bombed Ukraine through a special military operation ordered by President Vladimir Putin.
As early as Thursday morning, explosions were reported in Kjiv, Ukraine’s capital.
According to ABC News, Putin announced on television that Russia would not tolerate the threats from Ukraine.
Ukraine’s interior ministry also confirmed the attacks, saying Russia started attacks on the country.
The attacks were said to have targeted key infrastructure in the country.
U.S. President Joe Biden condemned the attacks, describing them as unprovoked.
He said Putin has chosen a “premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering”.
He said the US and its allies — members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) — will deliver a decisive response.
“Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its Allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable,” Biden said.
With the invasion of Ukraine, there was panic and fear across the nation as many scampered to bunkers, while some tried to flee to surrounding regions.
Shortly after the Russia invasion, there was also apprehension from some Nigerians who are currently in Ukraine.
An unconfirmed source says there are over 4000 Nigerians in the attacked region, many of which are students.
In response to the attacks, the Nigerian embassy in Ukraine called on Nigerians residing in Ukraine to remain calm and be responsible for their personal security amid the Russia invasion.
This was disclosed by the Nigerian embassy in Kiev, in a statement on Thursday.
The embassy was said to have told Nigerian nationals who want to temporarily relocate from Ukraine to ensure they validate their resident documents for ease of return.
It also added that it remains open for consular duties for Nigerians who decide to stay in Ukraine during the crisis.
“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 statement reads.
“The embassy wishes to add that should any Nigerian nationals consider the situation as emotionally disturbing, such nationals may wish to temporarily 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.”
Hours after Russia’s invasion, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) – Ukraine wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari, pleading for the immediate evacuation of Nigerian students in Ukraine.
The plea came in a letter to the President titled, “MATTER OF URGENCY. LETTER OF REQUEST TO THE PRESIDENT OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI” on Thursday.
According to the letter, the students cried out that cities occupied by Nigerians were under attack, Daily Trust reports.
The letter signed by a NANS Executive in Ukraine, Eunice Eleaka, said the Russian-Ukraine crisis has got to its peak.
The letter read: “Greetings to you His Excellency. We are the executive body of National Association of Nigerian Students Ukraine (NANS-UKRAINE).
“We write to you with regards to the current Russia- Ukraine conflict which has finally risen to its maximum early this morning being 24th February, 2022 as gunshots and explosives have raided the territories occupied by the Nigerian citizens.
“We plead with you His Excellency – President MUHAMMADU BUHARI to please send for an immediate evacuation of the Nigerian students currently in Ukraine. We can only trust and wait on our great nation (Giant of Africa) in this perilous time..
“It would be of great honour, if our request is deliberately considered and met with urgency as it calls for. Forever this kind and fatherly gesture would be engraved in our hearts. Thank you so much in anticipation Mr President.”
On their part, the federal government in a bid to help the situation decided to arrange a special flight operation to evacuate Nigerians from Ukraine.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama in an interview with NTA.
According to Onyeama, the Nigerian embassy in Kyiv has been contacted to finalise the arrangements for those willing to return to the country.
He said, “The Federal Government of Nigeria has arranged for a special flight operation to evacuate our citizens from Ukraine in view of the escalating tension between that country and Russia.
“The Nigerian embassy in Kyiv has been contacted to arrange those wishing to return home from other areas including Donestk and Luhensk.
“Nigerians are assured that the ministry is following the event in the country, we would do everything for the safety of Nigerians in Ukraine, particularly students.”
In what came as quite a shock, some Nigerians, currently trapped in Ukraine have rejected the offer by the federal government.
A report by DailyTrust explained the reason some of them made the decision.
One of them who has stayed in Ukraine for years rejected the offer from the federal government over trust issues.
The Nigerian identified as Edidiong Cyprian Ukpakha, noted that the offer by the Nigerian government is unrealistic considering the closure of the air space.
In addition, Cyprian said the federal government had in the past made such promises and did not keep them.
“I was here in 2013 during a similar crisis when they promised to evacuate Nigerians and they never did,” he said.
“So, this is the attitude of every Nigerian in Ukraine that they will promise and not fulfill.
The Nigerian also described the circular from the Nigerian embassy calling on Nigerians to be responsible for their protection and safety as appalling when “other countries are making provisions on how to evacuate the citizens, providing phone lines to call, shelter and aids to their people and the Nigerian government is telling us ‘You are on your own’.”
“Let’s tell ourselves the truth, there is no airspace to fly in, America evacuated her citizens a long time ago, and other countries.
“Now Russian troops are all over Ukraine already. We rely on the prayers of Nigerian pastors and bishops to save us from this.
“The Nigerian embassy here are not helping matters and they don’t want to hear the truth.”
Others also expressed cynicism about the federal government’s promise to evacuate willing Nigerians from the war-torn country following Russia’s invasion.
Another, Treasure Chinenye Bellgam, a medical student in Kiev who also spoke with the news agency said the government’s gesture is good but, “I am a believer in Christ Jesus and I have to ask God for direction whether to return to Nigeria or not.”
“Most Nigerians who are here on hustle are not willing to leave, they prefer to die here.
“It’s like after God has lifted you one step higher you want to go two steps backward, it’s like being demoted.
“But you need a lot of humility to go back to Nigeria because some people sold lands, cars, and the rest to come here and they have amazing stories.”
Also, Julius, a Nigerian living in Kiev, said the announcement to evacuate Nigerians is a good idea but will not be heeded by Nigerians in that country.
“Considering the economy in Nigeria, I think a lot of people would look for the safest place here than returning to Nigeria,” he said.
“They should do it (supply of aircraft) so that it becomes a choice for those who would want to stay back or those who want to return.
He also explained that the situation escalated in the capital city on Thursday with crazy queues at malls as a lot of people move to stock up on provisions.
