metro
Nigerian Parents Storm Russian Embassy In Abuja Over Plight Of Their Children In Ukraine
Some Nigerians whose children are studying in Ukraine stormed the Russian embassy in Abuja on Monday.
The parents, who wielded different placards, asked Russia to end the invasion of Ukraine, which entered its fifth day on Monday.
They asked Russia and Ukraine to embrace peace.
“Because there is no longer peace in Ukraine, our children who are studying there are no longer in school. They are on the run because of safety. Presently, we don’t know where they are.”
“We can’t account for our children; that’s why we are here today,” one of the parents said.
Another protester said many Nigerians are currently trapped as a result of the conflict, demanding an end to the hostility.
According to the Country Representative of Ukrainian universities in Nigeria, Dr Cliff Ogbeide, over 12,000 Nigerians are currently studying in Ukrainian universities.
This was corroborated by Jibrin Chinade, a former Nigerian Ambassador to Ukraine during an interview with Trust TV.
READ ALSO:
- Some Nigerians Trapped In Ukraine Are Not Willing To Return – FG
- Just in: Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks begin at Belarus border
- Governors reject power bill, insist states can handle electricity
“It is instructive to know that Ukraine, having robust diplomatic relations with Nigeria, is offering affordable university admission to Nigerian students with an estimated number hovering above 12,000 currently,” Ogbeide reportedly said.
‘We are living in fear’
While some Nigerian students in Ukraine said they felt abandoned by their country amidst the escalating war between Russia and Ukraine, others said they were living in fear.
Firdausi Muhammad Usman, a medical student in Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine told the BBC Hausa Service that everyone, especially students were living in fear and anxiety since early Thursday and that they were at a loss as to the exact situation on the ground.
She said: “Around 5am local time, we could hear huge explosions which got us up. I was together with my younger sister at the time; we were terrified and did not know what to do.
“All of a sudden, I could see the Ukrainians we live alongside in the building trooping out with their children and portmanteaus. We remained in the building until around 1pm when we heard another explosion, and then we were told that we should seek refuge at a shelter that is safer.
“While in the shelter, we found out that curfew had been imposed; therefore we should go back to our residence. Streetlights have been put off but water supply and electricity were still accessible, but in the morning internet services were cut off; we are now relying on ‘data plan’ to connect to the world through which we are able to communicate with our families in Nigeria.
“Our families are in a panic. The embassy did not yet speak to us or issue any statement, but they only issued us some forms in which we filled our basic information and the addresses of our kins in Nigeria,” she said.
A Nigerian parent whose daughter is studying in Ukraine said there was tension among parents on the situation.
“We are facing the consequences because before now when I talked with my daughter she told me that there is a crisis going on in eastern Ukraine, that means that the separatists are fighting the Ukrainian authorities for sovereignty,” he said.
Asked if he was thinking of evacuating his daughter, the parent said: “Of course, that’s the most strategic thing to do but the issue is that it depends on when and if one’s daughter is safe.
“For you to even get to the airport you need to travel on a train for seven hours, so it is not really an easy thing. The best thing is evacuation but what we are calling is a diplomatic approach so that the issue can be settled. We are calling for dialogue.”
Nigeria has rolled out evacuation plans.
Daily Trust
metro
Terrorists kill eight vigilantes in Kaduna community, two village heads
Terrorists kill eight vigilantes in Kaduna community, two village heads
No fewer than eight vigilante members and two others were killed by terrorists in Kakangi and Unguwan Matinja communities in Kaduna’s Birnin Gwari Local Government Area.
The local leaders of Kakangi and Kisaya villages in Kakangi Ward were also kidnapped.
A resident of the LG, Idris Khalid, who confirmed the event to our correspondent, claimed the gun-wielding men invaded the villages about early Thursday.
Bala Kamba, Abdurrahman Musa (Ubale), Kabiru Dan Dugui, Hambali Abu, Aliyu Abu, Nura Jika (Maleka), Mubarak Musa (Dan Wamba), and Ikra Hantsi were the eight vigilante members killed at Kakangi.
Khalid also revealed that the two victims in the Ungwan Matinja neighbourhood of Gayam Ward were Christopher Abubakar and Isah Gambo.
READ ALSO:
- Nigerian Army begins recruitment; See requirements, how to apply
- Traveller from Egypt nabbed at Kano Int’l airport with hard drugs
- Court stops NERC from implementing new electricity tariff
He claimed the vigilantes were attacked while tracking down the kidnapped victims, who were abducted on their way to a funeral between Kakangi and Sabon Layi.
“The vigilantes engaged the terrorists, killing scores of them, but could not rescue the two traditional rulers and others.
“Normally, anytime there is a kidnapping incident, the vigilantes always trail the terrorists to rescue the victims.
“It’s unfortunate that in the process, eight gallant officers of the vigilantes who have been sacrificing to ensure the safety of our people were lost,” the resident said.
When contacted, the State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, stated, “We are investigating the matter to determine the true story because the area where the incident occurred had a network problem.”
Terrorists kill eight vigilantes in Kaduna community, two village heads
metro
Repentant Boko Haram members burn NDLEA, Customs checkpoints in Borno
Repentant Boko Haram members burn NDLEA, Customs checkpoints in Borno
A group of suspected repentant Boko Haram insurgents, on Wednesday stormed the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigeria Customs Service checkpoints at Kasuwan Fara, a suburb of Maiduguri metropolis, chasing away the personnel on duty and setting ablaze all structures at the checkpoints.
The incident, according to security analyst and counter insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, followed a fierce encounter between the former Boko Haram combatants and the police at the Kasuwan Fara Divisional Police Office.
The suspected repentant insurgents, reportedly wearing military uniform, had pounced on the police office to forcefully set free their eight colleagues arrested at the suburb over criminal activities bordering on dealing in hard drugs.
The arrest was made on April 24 during a raid carried out by the police on the notorious spot at the criminals-ridden Kasuwan Fara.
“Due to the rise and persistence of criminal activities and sinister operations by drug peddlers comprising dismissed military personnel, repentant insurgents and other hoodlums, who assemble there to conduct nefarious activities, the area had since been earmarked for closure by Borno State Government.
READ ALSO:
- Lagos GDP hits N41tn, earns N433bn from IGR
- Police identify officer who shot man dead at fuel station
- US students slam Biden’s comments on Gaza encampments
“The April 24 raid, where the eight suspected repentant insurgents were arrested and 426 bottles of spirits such as dry gin confiscated, was conducted to sanitize the area, pending the final closure.
“The arrested persons were detained at the Kasuwan Fara police division since the day of their arrest.
” Subsequently, at about 7:40 am of Thursday, May 2, a dozen of the suspected repentant insurgents in military uniform, stormed the Kasuwan Fara police station in an attempt to rescue their arrested fellows.
” The Divisional Police Officer alongside his men were able to repel the attack while the perpetrators fled.
” Consequently, the assailants, in an apparent transfer of aggression, reverted to attacking NDLEA and NCS personnel checkpoint along the Maiduguri-Gubio road Kasuwan Fara, where they burnt down the checkpoints alongside the sandbags heaped on the road and fled the scene, ” Zagazola Makama said.
Borno Police Command spokesman, ASP Kenneth Daso, who confirmed the incident, said investigations were ongoing to apprehend the attackers, adding that the arrested eight suspects have been handed over to relevant security quarters.
Repentant Boko Haram members burn NDLEA, Customs checkpoints in Borno
metro
Police identify officer who shot man dead at fuel station
Police identify officer who shot man dead at fuel station
The Police Command in Lagos State has identified the officer who allegedly shot a man dead at a filling station in the Obalende area of the state.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development in a post he shared on his verified X handle@ben Hundeyin on Thursday.
He said that the officer had been identified.
“The person behind the shooting has been identified as a police officer serving at Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 17, Lion Building, Lagos.
READ ALSO:
- US students slam Biden’s comments on Gaza encampments
- Gaza: Police arrest 2,000 pro-Palestine protesters on US campuses
- Three senior govt officials arrested over alleged illegal citizenship for foreigners
“Investigation is still ongoing and further findings will be made available, ” he said.
According to Hundeyin, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade is working with the family of the deceased to ensure that there is no miscarriage of justice.
It could be recalled that the deceased, Toheeb Eniasa, was shot dead by a policemam on Wednesday while struggled to buy fuel.
It was learnt that two officers drove into the station to purchase fuel but motorists asked them to join the queue.
In the process, an argument ensured which resulited into a fight and one of the officers shot Eniasa and ran away.
Police identify officer who shot man dead at fuel station
-
metro3 days ago
Labour Day: Nigerian workers are dedicated, resilient, says NURTW leader
-
News2 days ago
Labour-FG face-off imminent as NLC rejects new salary increase
-
Auto2 days ago
Appeal court takes over NURTW case as NIC withdraws
-
News3 days ago
FG approves salary increase for civil servants, military, police
-
International3 days ago
Binance founder bags jail term in US
-
metro1 day ago
Security forces, vigilantes arrest kidnapper terrorising communities in Kogi
-
metro2 days ago
Inspector arrested with snatched car
-
News2 days ago
FG to give full operating licence to Dangote