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Russia-Ukraine crisis: FG directs fleeing Nigerians to four Polish borders, over 100 escape war

Published

3 years ago

February 27, 2022

Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa

Amid Russian military’s continued invasion of Ukraine on the orders of Russian President, Vladimir Putin, the Federal Government has directed Nigerians fleeing Ukraine to four Polish borders for their safety.

Some officials at the Nigerian Embassy in Poland, Warsaw, confirmed to Sunday PUNCH that over 100 Nigerians had crossed into the Polish border.

The Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in a viral video on Saturday said out of the eight borders between Poland and Ukraine, four had been recommended for Nigerians to use.

She also advised Nigerians to move in groups so they could account for one another in the journey towards the border. She asked those in Eastern Ukraine to endeavour to move closer to the border, especially Western Ukraine, through train or bus.

She cautioned that moving towards the border could come with its own dangers, but that it was important for affected Nigerians to keep their passports and their student visa as they ply the routes towards the border.

Dabiri-Erewa added, “For Nigerians in Ukraine trying to cross to Poland, there are eight borders between Poland and Ukraine, four borders are recommended; these are the four borders: Hrebenne – Rava Ruska; Korczowa – Krakovets; Medyka – Shehyni; Budomierz – Hurszew.”

She stressed that Nigerian volunteer groups as well as staff of the Nigerian Embassy would be at the borders to help them out. She noted that Nigerians in parts of Ukraine that were not directly affected by the invasion should stay where they were, adding that the commission’s website contained all relevant information, including numbers to call.

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In the advisory she issued, she stated, “Students should make every effort to get to the Ukrainian- Polish border or Ukrainian – Romanian border. It is vital that students move in groups. There is power in number. Groups should ensure that they are safe and accounted for. Students from Eastern Ukraine should make their best effort to reach a city in Western Ukraine. The closer you are to the border, the better.

“When going to the border, your options are via train or bus. Both routes come with risk factors. Trains from Lviv to the Polish border are free. However, there are many people trying this route. Do not be discouraged but try your best to enter the right train. Coaches/buses from Lviv can take you to Poland. You will need to have all your documentation with you. Please continue to stay in groups. Keep your passports and student visa on you at all times.”

Similarly, a public notice by the Embassy of Nigeria in Warsaw, Poland, assured Nigerians that the government had made necessary arrangements with the Polish government in order to ease the admission of Nigerians into Poland.

The Nigerian Ambassador to Poland, Christian Ugwu, stated, “The embassy staff and volunteers are stationed at the Polish – Ukrainian Border with bus and vans to pick up Nigerians from the border points.”

Some embassy officials told one of our correspondents on Saturday evening that the embassy was in the process of moving Nigerians from the borders to the Poland’s capital city.

An official said, “What we are currently working on is to get Nigerians from the crowded borders to safety in Warsaw. Too many people are moving into the country from Ukraine, including Nigerians and other nationalities.”

Another credible source at the Nigerian Embassy in Warsaw said although he could not ascertain the total number of Nigerians that had moved from Ukraine into Poland, estimates showed that there were over 100 of them.

He added, “We cannot ascertain the total number of Nigerians that have entered Poland from Ukraine at the moment, however, from our observation, we could infer that there are hundreds of them scattered across the various borders between Poland and Ukraine.”

Meanwhile, in addition to the efforts made by the Federal Government on the issue, officials of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, Poland, also noted that no fewer than 100 Nigerians have made their way through the Polish borders.

The Chairperson of NIDOP, Dr Tade Omotosho, said the organisation was working closely with the Federal Government to accommodate Nigerians who had successfully crossed the border.

He said in a brief phone interview with one of our correspondents that the government had established an arrangement that had given Nigerians in Ukraine access to Poland.

He added, “As I speak to you I have about 20 (Nigerians) in my house. By my count, there are still 20 that I know but there are still more. It is tense, it is difficult but we are ensuring that every Nigerian seeking solace is being attended to.

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“Nigerians in Poland have been very helpful. The Nigerian government has been helpful, but in my opinion the response was quite late. The passports were stamped at the border; I believe they were granted entry on humanitarian grounds. We are also talking to lawyers to get them legalized (stay) in Poland.”

An official of NIDOP, Frank Okonkwo, also noted that over 100 Nigerians have crossed the border into Poland.

He said, “It is a full-blown war, we are doing our best to help our people who are stranded in Ukraine to be able to exit to Poland, Romania, Sloviakia and Moldova. I particularly advise that they should try other countries instead of Poland because the country’s (Poland) border is saturated at the moment. We have more than 150,000 refugees including Nigerians and other nationalities.

“I could say tentatively over 100 or more have been able to cross (into Poland), but some people are not staying very close to the border. Most of them are struggling to find their way to the border. A lot of them are still in Kyiv and are asking questions about how they will get to the border. It is pertinent that they use their Google map. The bombing is getting too much, else they would stranded in the city.”

He asked the Federal Government to assist the stranded citizens to book a hotel before they can get a connecting flight to Nigeria.

An executive member of NIDOP, who identified himself as Remi, also stressed that fleeing Nigerians would have to make efforts to cross from the Ukrainian side to Poland before NIDOP could pick them up.

He noted that there was no form of racial discrimination from the Ukrainian Immigration as all Africans were allowed to go through.

He added, “They were not focused on ethnicity. We discovered that at 12pm, they started giving priority to women and children which is normal during a crisis of such. Children of 16 years and below are allowed to go through.”

He noted that NIDOP had made arrangement for accommodation and feeding and that those who have crossed to Poland would be sheltered for two days after which they are expected to be on their way to Lagos.

In its response to the crisis, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday said Nigerians who were stuck in Ukraine would be evacuated through the embassy in Warsaw, Poland.

It was earlier reported that the Speaker, House of Representatives called on a private airline, Air Peace, to help in evacuating stranded students from Ukraine.

A high-rise apartment block was hit by a missile overnight in Kyiv as fighting raged between Russian attackers and Ukrainian forces, officials said Saturday.

Emergency services said the number of victims was “being specified” and that an evacuation was underway.

The Polish Deputy Interior Minister, Pawel Szefernaker, said 100,000 people have crossed the border into Poland from Ukraine.

However, Ukrainian Health Minister, Viktor Lyashko, said that 198 people, including three children, had died since the Russian invasion into the country on Thursday, February 24, adding that 1,115 people, including 33 children, were wounded.

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Fleeing citizens allege racism at bus, train stations

Meanwhile, some of the fleeing Nigerians and their relatives who spoke Sunday PUNCH have alleged racism and passport seizure by Ukrainians also trying to flee.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyeama, had said that while the country was concerned about the safety of the 5,600 Nigerians in Ukraine, rescuing them in the middle of the Russian aggression might be risky. He added that Ukrainian Ambassador to Nigeria, Kirdoda Valerii, assured him that there was no discrimination between Ukrainians and foreigners in the safety measures.

But some fleeing Nigerians in separate interviews with our correspondent on Saturday stated otherwise. One of them, who preferred to be identified as Omotoyinbo, said he found it difficult to enter a bus en route to the border as children, women, Ukrainians and other white people were prioritised.

“It has actually not been easy. Imagine having to struggle with racism during a war. My friends and I were trying to board a bus because the driver of the car we hired at first said he could not get to the borders. The first bus we tried boarding; we were told children and women were being prioritised until we saw white folks entering and we the black folks were left behind.

“Things are getting intense and everyone is trying to escape. This is the moment when humanity should prevail but we can’t even get out of here because of racism. Some Nigerians in Poland have contacted us but we need to get out of here first.”

Another affected person, Blessing Inyang, said, “I am stranded at Lviv train station right now.

Punch

Related Topics:borders crisis Featured FG Nigerians Polish Russia-Ukraine war

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AKAMARA host retracts “ihram for fetish claims”, says conversations staged

Published

7 hours ago

April 27, 2025

Trends Admin

AKAMARA host retracts “ihram for fetish claims”, says conversations staged

… as Muslim scholars warn against anti-Islamic contents

* It’s unfortunate, example of disinformation: Media expert

A veteran broadcaster and anchor of the controversial radio programme AKAMARA, Mr. Ibrahim Adesola (popularly known as Akamara), has retracted all the allegations made regarding the use of ihram (pilgrims garment) allegedly for rituals or diabolical means, saying that all the purported phone calls during the conversations were STAGED!

Akamara made the retractions in a video recorded during an urgent meeting convened by the Wakeelul Muslimeen of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, Sheikh Iskeel Lawal Sugar, on Saturday, 26th April to address the topic which has sparked uproar among the Nigerian Muslim community.

Held in his office, the meeting was attended by stakeholders from Yewa Land, Owode Idiroko as well as journalists and lawyers.

Also in attendance was a representative of the President of League of Imams and Alfas in Ogun State, The Chief Imam of Owode Yewa, The Ad-hoc Chairman of Ogun State Muslims Pilgrims Board, Sheikh Ishaq Olorungbebe, Sheikh Fasasi Akeukanwo among others.

In a statement issued on Sunday, 27th April 2025 by Alhaji Lawal Abu Mordiyah, the Administrative Officer at the Office of Wakeelul Muslimeen of Yorubaland, the scholars warned bloggers like the host of Akamara who are attempting to use Islam or Islamic content to trend on social media for quick money to desist or be ready to face prosecution and risk going to jail.

The stakeholders, however, urged Muslims across the world to overlook and forgive the misdemeanor of Mr Ibrahim Adesola and continue to be good Muslims that they are.

The Beginning

Muslim News Nigeria gathered that a man, who identified himself as Najeem Ajisafe appeared on the radio programme alleging that one Alhaji Lukman Owokomago from Owode Onirin was sponsoring people of the area to Hajj only to collect their Ihram (hajj garment) after returning from hajj, supposedly for ritual.

The man, in a recorded viral audio, especially on Tiktok, claimed that when it was the turn of his father, Sulaiman Ajisafe, who went for the 2024 hajj under the sponsorship of Alhaji Owokomago, he decided to buy another cloth to give him instead of the one he allegedly used for hajj.

“To my father’s surprise, Alhaji Owokomago was able to tell that it wasn’t the original cloth and insisted that he wanted the original cloth used to perform hajj”, the man narrated the incident to the host of Akamara, promising him to release the suspect’s phone number to hear his own side of the story.

Follow-up story

In a bid to confirm the authenticity of the claim, the Akamara host brought the accused person Alhaji Owokomago to his programme, allegedly through a phone conversation, who confirmed the story, adding that the demand for Ihram was part of their agreement before the trip and it was his right to collect it.

“I have a right to demand the Ihram from them. In fact, it was part of the agreement before I sponsored them for Hajj. ₦10m per person isn’t small money. I sponsored five people. I must collect the Ihram. If I didn’t collect it before the next hajj, one soul will give up for another”, Alhaji Owokomago threatened the host of Akamara during their heated conversation.

Investigation leads to the truth

The audio clip has since sparked uproar on social media with many Islamophobes attacking Islam and hajj institutions, questioning the intentions of many philanthropists who sponsor underprivileged Nigerians to hajj.

But as the news got to the Office of Wakeelul Muslimeen of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, he invited the host of Akamara to his office on Saturday, 26th April 2025 where it was revealed that the whole episode was STAGED!

Mr Adesola fondly called Akamara told the leadership of the community who attended the meeting that the story was a hoax, and a fiction, saying all the people involved in the audio recordings, including Owokomago and Ajisafe with his son, Najeem, do not exist in reality. It was all engineered and stage-managed by the host of Akamara himself.

In a recorded video shared on the official social media handle of the Wakeelul Muslimeen of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, the host of Akamara has been mandated to do a two-minute retraction audio to explain what really happened. He was also mandated to dedicate his next radio programme to admit the story was STAGED, which he agreed to.

Despite the widespread backlash, the scholars urged Muslims worldwide to forgive the veteran broadcaster for his actions and continue to practice Islam with integrity and righteousness.

It’s unfortunate, example of disinformation: Media expert

The controversy surrounding Akamara’s staged broadcast drew sharp criticism from notable Nigerians, including Dr. Jamiu Folarin, a varsity lecturer, journalist and fact-checker.

Dr. Folarin described the incident as a prime example of disinformation, calling out content creators who prioritize monetary gain over ethical reporting.

“It is one thing to make a mistake, but it is entirely another to deliberately fabricate a story for financial profit,” said Dr. Folarin.

“What Ibrahim Adesola did – scripting a live broadcast involving false characters and events – is a high level of unprofessionalism. In a more regulated environment, such broadcasters would likely face severe penalties, including having their licenses revoked.”

Dr. Folarin also reiterated the urgent need for better regulation of content creation, especially concerning social media and the growing trend of skits, pranks, and satire that often mislead the public. “We must implement proper training for content creators, label satirical content clearly, and invest in media literacy programmes to prevent the spread of disinformation,” he emphasized.

The AKAMARA incident highlights the growing need for ethical conduct in media, especially at a time when misinformation and disinformation can easily spread across platforms.

As for Akamara, he has been given a chance to make amends and restore his credibility by publicly admitting his mistake and re-aligning his future broadcasts with the values of truth and responsibility.

AKAMARA host retracts “ihram for fetish claims”, says conversations staged

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Police arrest 16-year-old boy with gun in Lagos

Published

9 hours ago

April 27, 2025

Trends Admin

Police arrest 16-year-old boy with gun in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 16-year-old boy, Solomon Ibiwoye, after he was found in possession of a firearm in the Ebute-Ero area of the state.

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, announced the arrest in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, praising alert residents for their role in the incident.

Kudos to observant Lagosians who noticed 16-year-old Solomon Ibiwoye with a firearm and discreetly alerted Ebute-Ero Police Division. The police searched his house and recovered a locally fabricated firearm and an unexpended cartridge. Investigation is in progress. One more… pic.twitter.com/vNLVDm8Qyt

— CSP Benjamin Hundeyin (@BenHundeyin) April 27, 2025

“Kudos to observant Lagosians who noticed 16-year-old Solomon Ibiwoye with a firearm and discreetly alerted Ebute-Ero Police Division,” Hundeyin wrote.

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According to Hundeyin, a subsequent search of the teenager’s home led to the recovery of a locally made firearm and an unexpended cartridge.

“One more firearm off the streets,” he added, assuring that investigations into the case are ongoing.

Hundeyin further emphasized the importance of community vigilance in helping to curb crime, urging residents, “See something, say something!”

While the police spokesperson did not reveal how the teenager came into possession of the weapon or whether he is connected to any criminal gang, he assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway.

Police arrest 16-year-old boy with gun in Lagos

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Tinubu tried to silence me with EFCC – Ex-NHIS boss Yusuf

Published

9 hours ago

April 27, 2025

Trends Admin

Former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf

Tinubu tried to silence me with EFCC – Ex-NHIS boss Yusuf

Former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of weaponising the EFCC to silence him, alleging he was treated like a criminal for criticising the government.

Speaking in an interview with Arise Television on Sunday, Yusuf alleged that his recent detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was part of a deliberate attempt to silence him. “This government deliberately denied me bail to shake me up… all to try and silence me. But I am not someone who can be silenced,” he said.

In February, the EFCC arraigned Yusuf before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on a five-count charge of alleged fraud. He pleaded not guilty.