FG to send plane to airlift stranded Nigerians in Ukraine

Minster of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, says plans are underway by the Federal Government to airlift Nigerians stranded in Ukraine – once the airports reopen.

Speaking on Thursday, Onyema said the country was not taking anything to chances in ensuring that Nigerians in Ukraine are safe.

Russia Defence Ministry announced on Thursday that its military has started full scale war in Ukraine after weeks of denials by President Vladimir Putin that his country has no intention of invading Ukraine.

Explosions have been heard in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev and other major cities after Vladimir Putin announced that a military operation had begun.

“We are not going to take any chances and we’ve agreed that they should ask all Nigerians to stay in their residence. What we plan to do is that once the airports are opened, the embassy will assist those who are ready and willing to leave the country,” Onyema said.

“There are five airports and we are now planning on how to get those ones to the airports nearest to where they are saying and assist them to leave the country.”

According to the minister the Nigerian Embassy in Ukraine have continued to be in touch with Nigerians urging them to keep calm and not panic.

“The advice that we were getting was that we should not panic, that Nigerians in Ukraine should not panic. The embassy was in touch with them, telling them to take reasonable precautions, and which has been ongoing for a while.

“Now, the question of course was whether the Russians would invade and the Russian government itself was saying that they would not invade; the Americans and the UK were saying the invasion was imminent.

“It was very difficult to take a definitive position with regards to advising everybody to leave. On the travel advisory that came out, the last time I spoke with the ambassador about two days ago. I said to him we have to err on the side of caution and that those who want leave should leave and this was issued.

“There were interviews with a number of Nigerian students who said they preferred to stay; that things will calm and they did not feel under any immediate threat.”