Buhari Reacts To Nigerians’ Experience At The Ukraine-Poland Border | READ IN FULL
President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to trending videos showing Nigerians in Ukraine being relegated to the back of the queue in a bid to cross over to Poland for refuge.
Series of videos showed some Nigerians and other Africans being restricted from entering a train at the Ukraine-Poland border while others were made to give up their seats for the whites.
Reacting, the president in a statement signed by Garba Shehu, his Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity, said it is necessary for everyone to be treated equally not minding their skin color. Buhari noted that under the United Nation (UN) Convention, anyone who flee a conflict situation have the same right to safe passage and the colour of their passport or their skin should make no difference.
He assured that efforts are ongoing to ensure that Nigerians in Ukraine are safe.
The statement read in part;
“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
“There’s a long history dating back to decades of Nigerians and other Africans studying in Ukraine, particularly medicine. The majority of Nigerian citizens in the country today are university-enrolled students.
“From video evidence, first-hand reports, & from those in contact with their wardsor Nigerian consular officials there have been unfortunate reports of Ukrainian police and security personnel refusing to allow Nigerians to board buses & trains heading towards Ukraine-Poland border.
“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.
“There are also separate reports of Polish officials simply refusing Nigerian citizens’ entry into Poland from Ukraine.
“One 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.
“But for that reason, it’s paramount that everyone is treated with dignity and without favour.
“All who flee a conflict situation have the same right to safe passage under UN Convention and the colour of their passport or their skin should make no difference.”
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