By Ismail Auwal
The Federal Government is considering a special flight operation to evacuate Nigerians, in the midst of Ukraine’s mounting crisis.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria has received with surprise, reports of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia,” a statement signed by Ministry spokesperson Francisca Omayuli said.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been reassured by the Nigerian Embassy in Ukraine of the safety of Nigerians in that country and measures being undertaken to keep them safe and facilitate the evacuation of those who wish to leave.
“The Federal Government wishes to assure the families with loved ones in Ukraine that as soon as the airports in the country are opened, it would assist in facilitating the evacuation of Nigerians who are willing to leave.
“In the meantime, the Nigerian Mission has confirmed that military action by the Russians has been confined to military installations.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine, prompting explosions across the country and the country’s foreign minister to warn of a “full-scale invasion.”
Weeks of frantic diplomacy and the introduction of Western sanctions on Russia failed to deter Putin, who had amassed 150,000 to 200,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders.
