Safety is your responsibility, FG tells Nigerians in Ukraine

The Nigerian government has issued an advisory to its citizens in Ukraine, saying they are “responsible for their personal security and safety.”

“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 Nigerian Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine said in a statement shared on Twitter by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).

Thousands of Nigerians live in Ukraine, many of whom are students in various higher institutions in the country.

Despite threats of a Russian attack on Ukraine since the beginning of the year, no plans were made for the evacuation of the Nigerians.

Recall that Russian forces attacked Ukraine Thursday morning in what President Vladimir Putin described as a “special military operation”

Russia claims it is targeting Ukrainian military installations including air bases but there are fears many civilians have been killed in air raids.

While other nations had earlier urged nationals to leave the troubled nation, the Nigerian government said there is no need for panic.

The Embassy, however, advised Nigerians who consider the situation as emotionally disturbing and wishes to relocate elsewhere to do so by “private arrangements”.

It added that they should do the “needful to validate all their resident documents for ease of return to the country when desired”.

The Embassy also urged students to seek proper clearance and guarantee from their respective institutions first on the way forward before leaving the country.