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Russia/Ukraine War: Trapped Nigerians seek evacuation as FG summons Ukraine, Russia envoys

Published

4 years ago

February 26, 2022

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama

As Russian continues it’s bombardment of key Ukraine regions and critical facilities, some Nigerians resident in the country have appealed to the Federal government to urgently evacuate them.

Since Russia announced military offensive against Ukraine on Thursday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said over 137 people have been killed so far, including civilians.

The UN’s refugee agency have also said that about 100,000 Ukrainians have been displaced, with thousands fleeing to nearby European states.

Western powers including NATO have announced sweeping sanctions on Russia.

Nigerians seek help

Nigerians in Ukraine are desperately pleading to be evacuated out of the Eastern European country as Russian bombs continue to drop on military installations and residential buildings.

Russian bombs have been dropping mostly on the two most important Ukrainian cities of Kyiv and Kharkiv where many Nigerians live.

Obinna Ezugwu, a Nigerian based in Ukraine told a Nigerian news platform, TheNiche that though his city of resident has not been raised, him and many other Nigeria live in fear and slept in the basement to avoid Russian bombs.

He fears that although the bombs haven’t started raining in Sumy City, the temporary respite may be short-lived as Russian troops appeared to have doubled down on their unprovoked offensive against Ukraine.

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He said, for now, they survive with the cash in their hands and worry that once the money runs out and supplies stop coming, their plight might become acute.

He said: “We are all prepared to leave to Poland if the border is still open but the problem is that no car is leaving due to the state of emergency imposed.”

Anjola Ero-Phillips, president of the Nigerian Students Union in Lviv, told Al Jazeera that as situation is getting worse, the Nigeria government have shown no serious concerns for the safety. Ero-Phillips lamented that there have been no proper community from the Nigerian embassy in Ukraine

FG summons Ukraine, Russia envoys

Meanwhile, the Federal Government, yesterday, summoned the Ambassadors of Russia and Ukraine to Nigeria, Alexei Shebarshin and Kirdoda Valerii respectively over the evacuation of Nigerians from both countries.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, who met with the envoys separately behind closed doors, disclosed that during his meeting with the Russian envoy, he told Shebarshin that the Government of Nigeria could not condone as a country, the violation of the territorial integrity of a United Nations member state, a country with which Nigeria has diplomatic relations.

Onyeama also told Shebarshin that Nigeria urged Russia to revert to the status quo before the military action and to prioritise diplomacy and dialogue.

“This is really the position of the government. And also, that we have 5600 Nigerians in Ukraine and we are very concerned about what we are hearing and what we are seeing regarding missiles and bombs about the safety of our Nigerian citizens there, that we would like to be able to evacuate them.

“This would be communicated to his headquarters and that obviously, they consider Nigeria a friendly country and Nigerians; and that they would do nothing to harm Nigerians and assured me that their action is targeted at military installations and that they are not about to start attacking civilian areas and so forth,” Onyeama said.

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Onyeama disclosed that he also discussed with the Russian envoy about the practicalities of how Nigeria can get her citizens out of Ukraine, those who want to leave the country and what measures they could do as they are moving in, to facilitate and help and to safeguard Nigerians in Ukraine.

Onyeama added that the Russian envoy insisted that civilians are not being targeted and that hopefully, it won’t last long.

Asked about the issue of the evacuation of Nigerians in Ukraine, Onyeama said the issue can only come up when the airports open.

Onyeama also said the Russian envoy stated that they would also see some airports as military targets possibly.

Curfew rolled out in Lviv

Ukraine’s western city of Lviv has introduced a curfew, the Interfax Ukraine news agency reports, citing a city official.

The curfew is introduced from 22:00 to 06:00. We will provide passes to residents of the region employed in critical infrastructure,” Interfax quoted the head of local military administration Maxim Kozitsky as saying.

Thousands of Ukrainians have fled west in a bid to avoid Russia’s assault, which has targeted Ukraine from the north, south and east.

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Related Topics:evacuation Featured FG Nigerians Russia Russia/Ukraine War Ukraine

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Rivers Assembly Returns ₦100,000 Christmas Bonus, Accuses Fubara of Illegal Spending

Published

2 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Trends Admin

Governor Siminalayi Fubara

Rivers Assembly Returns ₦100,000 Christmas Bonus, Accuses Fubara of Illegal Spending

Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have returned the ₦100,000 Christmas bonus paid into their personal bank accounts by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing the payment as unsolicited, unapproved, and a violation of constitutional provisions on public expenditure.

The lawmakers made their position known in a statement issued on Tuesday night and signed by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi Alabo George.

According to the statement, members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly received bank alerts of ₦100,000 each on December 30, 2025, following a directive from the governor. However, the Assembly said the funds were transferred without legislative approval and were therefore rejected.

George explained that upon discovering the transfers, lawmakers immediately took steps to refund the money to the Rivers State Government, stressing that the Assembly would not participate in any action that falls short of the law.

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The House recalled that Governor Fubara had approved the payment of ₦100,000 as a festive bonus for civil servants and some public office holders, but insisted that such expenditure must comply with due process and receive legislative backing.

The lawmakers further accused the governor of persistently withdrawing funds from the Consolidated Revenue Account of Rivers State without the approval of the legislature since assuming office in 2023, despite repeated warnings, court judgments, and constitutional provisions.

“As an institution established by law and guided strictly by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Rivers State House of Assembly maintains that all public expenditures must follow due process, including legislative approval,” the statement read.

The Assembly also warned civil servants and government officials alleged to be collaborating in what it described as unlawful withdrawals to desist, noting that the House is aware of actions that contravene the Constitution and the principle of separation of powers.

Rivers Assembly Returns ₦100,000 Christmas Bonus, Accuses Fubara of Illegal Spending

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Borno: Troops Foil Suicide Attack, Arrest Bomber, Seize IED Materials

Published

3 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Trends Admin

Army headquarters reviews troops combat readiness

Borno: Troops Foil Suicide Attack, Arrest Bomber, Seize IED Materials

Barely days after a deadly suicide bomb attack at Gamboru Market Mosque in Maiduguri, which claimed the lives of several worshippers, troops of the Joint Task Force North East (JTF NE), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have recorded another major operational breakthrough with the arrest of a suspected suicide bomber and the interception of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) materials in Borno State.

The successful operation followed sustained intelligence-led security operations aimed at securing Banki town in Bama Local Government Area, carried out by troops of the 152 Task Force Battalion, in collaboration with other security agencies.

In a statement issued Tuesday night by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters JTF North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, it was revealed that the suspect was apprehended at the Banki Central Mosque.

“At about 1740 hours on Monday, December 29, 2025, troops deployed at Banki Central Mosque arrested a suspected suicide bomber identified as Abubakar Mustapha,” the statement said.

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According to the military, the suspect was found in possession of primed IED components, suggesting an imminent terror attack. Preliminary investigations revealed that Mustapha hails from Bama Local Government Area and was further discovered to be in possession of other incriminating items linked to terrorist activities.

“He is currently undergoing detailed interrogation to establish his sponsors, collaborators, and possible links with JAS/ISWAP terrorist networks operating in the area,” Uba added.

In a related development, troops deployed at the Cameroon–Nigeria border gate intercepted a Peugeot vehicle conveying six bags of urea fertiliser, a critical IED precursor material. The vehicle and the fertiliser were immediately taken into military custody.

Further intelligence exploitation led to the arrest of the fertiliser dealer and the recovery of an additional six bags of urea, bringing the total seized to 12 bags. All suspects and recovered items are currently in custody for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Lt. Col. Uba said troops of JTF NE OPHK continue to dominate their areas of responsibility through aggressive patrols, sustained presence, and intelligence-driven operations to deny terrorists freedom of action and prevent attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure.

He assured the public that the morale and fighting efficiency of troops remain high, reaffirming the military’s commitment to restoring lasting peace and security in North East Nigeria.

The military also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies in support of ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

Borno: Troops Foil Suicide Attack, Arrest Bomber, Seize IED Materials

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VIDEO: Oshodi Traders Count Losses as Fire Ravages Army Arena Market in Lagos

Published

3 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Trends Admin

VIDEO: Oshodi Traders Count Losses as Fire Ravages Army Arena Market in Lagos

Traders at the Army Arena Market in Oshodi, Lagos State, were thrown into panic on Tuesday evening following a fire outbreak that engulfed sections of the busy commercial hub, destroying several shops and goods.

The incident was confirmed by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) through its official X (formerly Twitter) handle. LASTMA disclosed that emergency responders were immediately deployed to the scene to contain the inferno.

“There’s a fire outbreak inside Arena Shopping Mall along Agege Motor Road, Oshodi. Men of @LagosRescue are on ground to extinguish the inferno,” the agency stated.

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Eyewitnesses said the fire spread rapidly through parts of the market, forcing traders and customers to flee for safety as thick smoke billowed into the sky. Several container shops were reportedly razed, with traders lamenting the loss of valuable merchandise, including textiles, electronics, and household goods.

Officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, alongside other emergency agencies, worked to prevent the fire from spreading to adjoining sections of the market and nearby buildings. As of the time of filing this report, no casualties had been officially confirmed, while the cause of the fire was yet to be determined.

The latest incident has renewed concerns over frequent fire outbreaks in Lagos markets, particularly in densely populated commercial centres such as Oshodi, where traders have repeatedly called for improved fire safety measures, better electrical standards, and faster emergency response.

Oshodi Traders Count Losses as Fire Ravages Army Arena Market in Lagos

Wike | Sina Ghami | #NIGUGA | Accident | Diogo Jota | #โดมปกรณ์ลัม | Anthony Joshua pic.twitter.com/UrFd9MZnt1

— Newstrends.Ng (@Newstrends_ng) December 30, 2025