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We won’t allow Nigerians to join Ukrainian forces – FG

Published

3 years ago

March 8, 2022

The Federal Government has expressed its disapproval of the ongoing registration of Nigerian citizens volunteering to join the Ukrainian Army to resist the invasion of the country by Russia.

Over 150 Nigerians have volunteered to be recruited after the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, urged people around the world to join the fight.

But in a statement on Monday, the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, said the Federal Government would not tolerate the recruitment.

She stressed that the government would engage with the Embassy of Ukraine in Nigeria and other relevant authorities to prevent this.

The statement read in part, “The attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria has been drawn to an alleged ongoing registration of Nigerian volunteers into the fighting force of Ukraine at the Ukrainian Embassy in Abuja.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs contacted the embassy to verify the speculation. The Ukrainian Embassy refuted the allegation, but confirmed that a number of Nigerians had approached the embassy, indicating their willingness to fight on the side of Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.

“Furthermore, the embassy clarified that the Ukrainian government is not admitting foreign volunteer fighters and, as such, dissociated itself from the claim that it was requesting $1,000 from each Nigerian volunteer for air ticket and visa.

“As a responsible member of the international community and consistent with our obligations under international law, Nigeria discourages the use of mercenaries anywhere in the world and will not tolerate the recruitment of Nigerians in Nigeria as mercenaries to fight in Ukraine or anywhere else in the world.

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“The Federal Government will continue to engage with the Embassy of Ukraine in Nigeria and other relevant authorities to prevent this possibility.”

Nigerian community in Belarus makes evacuation plans for students

Following the recent sanctions imposed on Belarus for aiding and abetting Russia in the invasion of Ukraine, the Nigerian community in Belarus is making plans for the smooth evacuation of its members after the cancellation of flights, shutdown of banks and businesses had made life difficult.

Belarus, a neighbouring country to Russia, has provided help for the super power in its invasion of Ukraine.

This has led to multiple sanctions on both Russia and Belarus. The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has provided support for the transportation of fleeing Nigerians from Ukraine.

In an interview, a member of the Transition Committee, Nigerian Community in Belarus, Dr Oyewo Oyenike, said, “The general requirement for new students has always been to buy return tickets to Belarus, which some new students that came for language courses did through the Turkish Airlines.

“The students in question completed their language courses and decided to return to Nigeria, but unfortunately because of the current crisis, Turkish Airlines flights have been cancelled and the only option is for them to fly with the Belavia (Belarusian Airlines) to Istanbul and then connect with Turkish Airlines flights to Lagos.

“This is, however, not a reason to panic as the Nigerian community in Belarus is working on resolving this.

“The Nigerian community is in contact with the Nigerian Embassy in Moscow for relevant updates, although there’s no current emergency situation for the evacuation of Nigerians here in Belarus and we hope if the need arises, relevant procedures will be taken immediately. Contacts have been made and we’re awaiting a response from the embassy.

“There have been mobilisation in some cities and we’re trying to pursue emergency evacuation plans in case they become necessary. We’ve also got the parents involved and they’re trying their best through the embassy and the foreign ministry.

“It’s been exhausting and full of anxiety because the current crisis was unexpected.

“All the sanctions placed on Belarus have affected everyone one way or another. MasterCards/Visa cards are no longer working. Some banks have been shut down and a lot of businesses are being affected.

“The main challenge is the inability to stay focused for the students due to fear, cancelled flights and others.”

NYU faults FG’s slow response

The Nigerian Youth Union, on Monday, called on the Federal Government to adopt more proactive strategies to protect Nigerians abroad, especially during unforeseen emergencies.

The organisation also faulted the slow response of the Federal Government to the safety of Nigerians in Ukraine, especially students, after Russia invaded the European country last week.

The NYU, in a statement by its National President, Chinonso Obasi, lamented that Nigerians were subjected to various acts of social abuse, degradation and molestation at Ukrainian borders due to the nonchalant attitude of the government.

He expressed dismay that the Federal Government delayed in evacuating Nigerians from Ukraine despite early warning signals.

Obasi stated, “There was early intelligence that Russia would invade Ukraine in a matter of days. Governments of other countries mobilised resources and reached out to their nationals in the country, but Nigeria developed indifference.

“We have witnessed this show of nonchalance on many occasions. When the xenophobic attacks broke out in South Africa last year, the Federal Government did not deem it fit to rise for the protection of its citizens until a private citizen, Chief Allen Onyema, volunteered to evacuate them.

“We at the NYU, condemn the penchant of the Federal Government for abandoning Nigerians abroad to their fate without regards to the protection and preservation of their interests in foreign countries. This attitude does not enhance patriotism; neither does it uplift the image of the country in the comity of nations.”

The NYU, however, commended Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, for ensuring that Sokoto indigenes in Ukraine were airlifted early enough when the signs of impending hostilities emerged.

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Related Topics:FG join Nigerians Ukrainian

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Mother, daughter who stole ponmo, stock fish in Ogun jailed six months

Published

55 minutes ago

March 29, 2025

Trends Admin

Mother, daughter who stole ponmo, stock fish in Ogun jailed six months

A Magistrates’ Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State yesterday sentenced a mother, Falilatu Amidu, and her daughter, Ayisatu, to six months imprisonment each for stealing dry ponmo, stock fish and dried meat valued N1 million

The defendants, who reside at No 21 Ago-Oko area of Abeokuta, were convicted on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The Magistrate, Mrs O.O. Odumosu, held that the evidence presented by the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the convicts were guilty of the offence as charged.

Odumosu sentenced both mother and daughter to six months in prison each with an option of N5,000 fine.

She ordered that the convicts should refund N100,000 each to the complainant as restitution before accessing the N5,000 fine option.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Kehinde Fawunmi, had told the court that the defendants committed the offence at Lafenwa market sometime in August 2024.

Fawunmi explained that Falilatu conspired with her daughter, Ayisatu, to steal a big sack containing stock fish, dried ponmo and dried cow meat valued N1million, belonging to one Mrs kafayat Alao.

According to him, one of the defendants, Falilatu, used to help the complainant to carry load from her store in Lafenwa to where the complainant sells her items.

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“The complainant asked her to help her pick some goods from the store. She waited for over an hour and did not see the defendant, which made her to go to the store to check on her.

“On getting to the store, she did not find Falilatu, and she noticed a big bag containing dried meat, ponmo and stock fish was missing while the defendant was nowhere to be found,” he said.

Fawunmi further explained that Falilatu stole the goods and gave it to her daughter (Ayisatu) to sell. He said Ayisatu received the goods from her mother, knowing that they were stolen.

The prosecutor noted that the offence committed contravened sections 516, 390(9) and 127 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun 2006.

Mother, daughter who stole ponmo, stock fish in Ogun jailed six months

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Ex-Rivers HoS wife cries for help over husband’s safety

Published

1 hour ago

March 29, 2025

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Florence Nwaeke and her husband, George Nwaeke

Ex-Rivers HoS wife cries for help over husband’s safety

The wife of the immediate past Rivers State Head of Service, George Nwaeke, has voiced concerns over his whereabouts and well-being following his resignation, saying she has been unable to reach him.

Speaking to journalists on Friday, Florence Nwaeke said she became alarmed after seeing an online interview attributed to her husband, which she found suspicious.

“When he got to Abuja, he called that he had landed. I said, ‘Thank God,’” she recalled.

However, after coming across the interview, she began to fear something was amiss.

“I said, ‘That is not my husband. That is not my husband.’

“So I sent him a message. I said, ‘Are you under duress?’ I sent him a message. I said, ‘Have they kidnapped you? Talk to me now. Why are you not talking to me?’ This is the message I sent to him when I saw his interview online,” she said.

Overcome with worry, she made an emotional appeal for help.

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“Oh, Jesus, help me. Nigerians, help me. My husband is in trouble. My husband is in trouble. My husband is in trouble. My husband is in trouble. Look at the message I sent to him. See the message I sent to him. I said, ‘Daddy, why? Were you in hostage?’ I said, ‘Why didn’t you talk to me?’ These are the messages I sent to him, but he didn’t reply to me. His numbers are not going through. Nigerians, help me! Nigerians, help me!” she pleaded.

Her concerns follow allegations made by George Nwaeke against suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Nwaeke had accused the governor of plotting to back Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed for the 2027 presidency and of using militants to attack oil facilities. He also alleged that Fubara ordered the bombing of the State House of Assembly in 2023 to prevent his impeachment.

Florence Nwaeke, beyond raising alarm in the media, also directed a personal plea to the governor.

“Governor, help me. My husband is in trouble. He is in trouble,” she implored, claiming that her husband resigned under pressure.

However, Fubara dismissed the claims, insisting that Nwaeke had been influenced by external forces.

“The truth is that Dr. Nwaeke has been compromised, and whatever he is saying is only aimed at fulfilling his promise to those who may have paid or coerced him to lie against me,” the governor stated late Friday.

Fubara also released screenshots purportedly showing chats between Nwaeke and his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, where Nwaeke allegedly requested financial assistance.

Ex-Rivers HoS wife cries for help over husband’s safety

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Fubara reacts as Ex-HOS, Nwaeke accuses him of bombing oil pipelines, Rivers Assembly

Published

1 hour ago

March 29, 2025

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Siminalayi Fubara

Fubara reacts as Ex-HOS, Nwaeke accuses him of bombing oil pipelines, Rivers Assembly

Suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara has denied accusations from his former Head of Service, George Nwaeke, disclosing that he never ordered the bombing of the Rivers State House of Assembly or any Oil Pipeline.

Fubara, in a statement made available to newsmen, stated that no such thing occurred during his administration. The statement read;

“My attention has been drawn to a press briefing by the former Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke aired on Channels Television on Friday the 28th of March 2025. Ordinarily, I would not have responded to his claims, but to correct the erroneous impression such allegations may create in the minds of the people, and the disaffection it is bound to cause in the state and the country.”

“First, on the claim that he was aware of my discussions and plans to support Bala Mohammed’s alleged 2027 presidential bid, it is laughable that Dr. Nwaeke would be part of any high level political meeting as Head of Service, much more sitting in my alleged night meetings with Bala Mohammed and militants like he claimed. Howbeit, none of such meetings ever held.”

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“The truth is that the whole world knew when the Bauchi State Governor, as Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum visited the State, and there was nothing secret about the visits.”

“It is also ludicrous for Dr. Nwaeke to claim that he was aware of my meetings to encourage attacks on oil pipelines and other National assets in the State, as there was no time I held any meeting with militants or any criminal group to destabilise the State. It is on record that I have been at the forefront preaching peace in the State even in the face of obvious provocations.”

“The truth is that Dr. Nwaeke has been compromised, and whatever he is saying is only aimed at fulfilling his promise to those who may have paid or coerced him to lie against me.”

“I call on all well meaning Nigerians and the good people of Rivers State to disregard everything said by Dr. Nwaeke as they are mere desperate attempts to discredit me and my administration, and undermine the peace process by Mr. President”.