Russian Invasion: FG Gives Update On Evacuation Of Nigerians Trapped In Ukraine

The Federal Government has promised to evacuate Nigerian students trapped in Sumy State University (SumDU) in Sumy, Ukraine.

In a series of tweets via his Twitter handle on Sunday, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, said the evacuation of the stranded Nigerians in Sumy will begin on Monday (today).

Naija News reports that the minister made this known in reaction to the protest embarked on by some Nigerians stranded in Sumy in Ukraine.

The trapped Nigerians on Saturday appealed to the Nigerian Government for immediate evacuation from the country which is under siege by Russian troops.

The protesters said they have been unable to leave the city due to the blockade of the access routes.

Reacting, the minister said that approval has been given by the Ukrainian government for the evacuation of the students trapped in Sumy.

He stated that the trapped students would be evacuated once the implementation of Ukraine’s evacuation process for the students is complete.

Onyeama added that approval has been given for the evacuation of the students, adding that the federal government approved $8.5 million for their evacuation.

The minister, however, noted the challenge of procuring buses to evacuate the students out of the city, adding that the Nigerian government is doing its best to get the students out.

He wrote: “Deep gratitude to@DmytroKuleba, Foreign Minister of Ukraine for approval given, as promised, to establish humanitarian corridor and authorize evacuation of Nigerian students from Sumy starting tomorrow.

“The big challenge is procuring buses. We are doing everything to make it happen. Great commitment by Nigerian Ambassador to Ukraine, Shina Alege.”

1/2 Deep gratitude to @DmytroKuleba, Foreign Minister of Ukraine for approval given, as promised, to establish humanitarian corridor and authorize evacuation of Nigerian students from Sumy starting tomorrow.

— Geoffrey Onyeama (@GeoffreyOnyeama) March 6, 2022