Buhari upset Ukrainian police discriminating against Nigerians fleeing war: Presidency
President Muhammadu Buhari has frowned at the reported inhuman and discriminatory treatments of Nigerians and other Africans, denied the right of passage out of Ukraine.
Presidential media Garba Shehu, in a statement on Sunday, said all citizens should be treated with dignity irrespective of the colour of their passports or their skin.
“From video evidence, first-hand reports, and from those in contact with their wards and/or Nigerian consular officials there have been unfortunate reports of Ukrainian police and security personnel refusing to allow Nigerians to board buses and trains heading towards the Ukraine-Poland border,” noted the statement. ”In one video widely circulating on social media, a Nigerian mother with her young baby was filmed being physically forced to give up her seat to another person.”
The statement further claimed that there “are also separate reports of Polish officials simply refusing” Nigerians entry into Poland from Ukraine and that a group of Nigerian students “having been repeatedly refused entry into Poland have concluded they have no choice but to travel again” across Ukraine and attempt to exit the country via the border with Hungary.
The presidency demanded that everyone should be treated with dignity and without favour, adding that all who flee a conflict situation have the same right to safe passage under UN Convention.
“While efforts to begin talks between Russia and Ukraine are underway, paramount on our minds is the safety and human rights of some four thousand Nigerian citizens and many others from friendly African nations today stranded in Ukraine,” added the statement.
The presidency also mentioned that Nigeria would continue to support diplomatic efforts to bring the war between Russia and Ukraine to an end, while stressing that there is a long history dating back to decades of Nigerians and other Africans studying in Ukraine, particularly medicine.
”As a nation, we are proud of those educated in Kyiv and Kharkiv and other cities and centres of learning who have returned to Nigeria to perform great service for our nation and our people,” added the statement. “Without the generosity of spirit of the Ukrainian people that would never have been possible. We pray for those directly affected by this conflict. Nigeria, with our 200 million people, supports all and every diplomatic effort to bring this war to an end.”
(NAN)
More from Peoples Gazette
Economy
Buhari regime will continue to borrow without subsidy removal: Femi Adesina
“You know how much could have been saved if the subsidy was removed and how it could have been diverted to other areas and spheres of national life.
Economy
Nigerian delegation signs MoU with Pakistani companies
“Africa does not have enough quality medicine to cater for the various illnesses in it, from manufacture to supply,” he said.
States
Gen. Domkat Bali rejected Plateau govt’s Ponzhi Tarok title: Widow
“As they insisted, the Plateau government published a new gazette, which did not follow due process in order to install him, but the installation was not possible until his death,” said the
World
Russian Invasion: Google disables map navigation service in Ukraine
Google has announced temporarily disabling Google Maps tools in Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion of the country.
NationWide
Petrol marketers, NUPENG fight over fuel price increase
IPMAN urged NUPENG to channel its energy to its members who engage in reckless driving, illegal charges and diversion of petroleum products.
States
APC urges public officeholders to be honest
Mr Malle urged both elected and political appointees in the area to live above board, avoid greed, extend hands of friendship and contribute positively to the development of the area.
Sport
Danbani scores as Kwara United defeat Niger Tornadoes
Alao Danbani scored in the 19th minute on Sunday to give hosts Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin a 1-0 victory over visiting Niger Tornadoes of Minna.
