Russia Ukraine War: Evacuation Of Stranded Nigerians Postponed

Tension deepened on Thursday as the evacuation of Nigerians stranded over the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has been postponed.

No official reason, however, has been given in respect to the postponement, Naija News reports.

The federal government of Nigeria had announced earlier that it will begin the evacuation of Nigerians stranded in Ukraine on Wednesday.

The minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, revealed this during a meeting with the Speaker House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Monday, February 28, Naija News reports.

He said that the Federal government had begun the process for the evacuation of Nigerians in the Ukraine-Russia crisis and planes would be dispatched on Wednesday.

“We hope to start evacuation hopefully Wednesday… We are doing everything possible to ensure that come Wednesday, we will dispatch planes for evaluation”.

The announcement came after President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday approved $8.5 million for the immediate evacuation of Nigerian citizens from the warring zones.

In a statement to newsmen, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada, said no fewer than 5,000 citizens will be evacuated.

The approval was issued at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Naija News reports.

According to Dada, Air Peace and Max Air airlines have been contracted to provide three aircraft to facilitate the rescue.

The evacuation became necessary following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.