Ukraine-Russia Crisis: 2,090 Nigerians Expected Back in Nigeria as Evacuation Begins Today

Federal Government of Nigeria commences evacuation of Nigerians stranded in neighboring countries surrounding Ukraine.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced the evacuation of Nigerians stranded in neighboring countries surrounding Ukraine as the crisis in Ukraine continues. Recall that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Godfrey Onyema, had said there were about 8,000 Nigerians in Ukraine, 5,000 of whom are students, adding that the Federal Government had tipped Air Peace and Max Air to airlift Nigerians, who wanted to be evacuated.

However, in a press statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda,  said the chattered flights from Max Air and Air Peace will depart on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, to pick up Nigerian evacuees back home. Ambassador Aduda said the records of evacuees received by Nigerian embassies show 650 persons from Hungary, 350 from Poland, 940 from Romania, and 150 Nigerians from Slovakia. 

He also stated that the first batch of evacuees is expected to arrive in Nigeria today, Thursday, March 3, 2022. He said the capacity and route of the airlines are as follows: Max Air to Romania to airlift 560 persons, Air Peace to Poland for 364 persons, and Air Peace to Hungary to evacuate 360 persons. Aduda reassured Nigerians that the government is working round the clock to see that Nigerian citizens are brought back home safely.