The Nigerian House of Representatives has urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant agencies to immediately take diplomatic action with Ukrainian and Russian authorities to extend humanitarian and exit opportunities to Nigerians, including students trapped in the war torn area.
The House also urged the ministry to interface with, compile and furnish the Russian embassy in Nigeria and Russian Foreign Ministry with full data of Nigerians in Ukraine needing to be evacuated.
These were part of the resolutions of the House while adopting a motion under matters of urgent matters of public importance on the urgent call on the minister of Foreign Affairs to take diplomatic action with Ukrainian authorities to extend the humanitarian corridor for the exit of Nigerians in Sumy and parts of the war zone.
Presenting the motion, the Chair House Committee on Diaspora Mrs. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe expressed concern over the limited availability of transportation in the affected areas to evacuate those trapped, including Nigerians.
“Aware that while Nigerian citizens have been fleeing Ukraine for their safety, Nigerian students, particularly those who are studying medicine in the Sumy state University are however caged, not having the opportunities of exiting Sumy, as Sumy is located close to the Russian border and the bridges and train tracks have been blown by Russian forces.
“Further aware that these Nigerians are facing very horrible conditions with diminishing food supply, electricity outages, lack of water and other basic needs.
“Worried that the most recent harrowing experience where a bus carrying some students was escorted back to Sumy, when they had already travelled 50km close to a neighboring city and now the hostels are being guarded by Ukraine soldiers who are preventing them from leaving Ukraine.
“Further worried that the situation in Sumy is not only of concern to Nigerians, but also to so many countries; and recently, the Indian Prime Minister brought the case to Russian President, Putin, drawing his attention to the presence of his citizens in Sumy. The Russian military had been ordered to create a humanitarian corridor for the exit of foreigners in those areas.
“Concerned that these innocent Nigerians in search of the golden fleece and greener pasture are subjected to and caught in a helpless situation, and if proactive diplomatic steps are not immediately taken to offer humanitarian support to these Nigerian students within the ceasefire which is just for 4 days to exit, there situation would become very precarious” Sadipe explained.
Supporting the motion, Ahmed Jaha from Borno State said the action was part of the parliamentary support in line with its legislative agenda.
Mr. Toby Okechukwu from Enugu State and co-sponsor of the motion stressed the need for both the Russian Federation and the authorities of Ukraine to honour the tripartite agreement to provide a corridor for non-combatant to exit the war zones.
“By practice and convention, countries who are at war who have war advantage should provide a corridor for people who are not combatant.
“There was a tripartite agreement between the Russian Federation, Ukraine and the United Nation but the agreement has been observed in breach and that is against the free passage of our citizens and other nationals” Mr. Okechukwu added.
Commenting, the Chairman House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Buba Yakubu, one of the legislative delegates who visited Poland and Romania to assist in the evacuation of Nigerians said some of the students that attempted to self-help were returned by armed security men back to school.
Emmanuel Ukoh
