Muhammadu Buhari has frowned at the reported inhuman and discriminatory treatments of Nigerians and other Africans, denied the right of passage out of Ukraine.
Presidential media Garba Shehu, in a statement on Sunday, 28 February, said all citizens should be treated with dignity irrespective of the colour of their passports or their skin, NAN reports.
“From video evidence, first-hand reports, and from those in contact with their wards and/or Nigerian consular officials there have been unfortunate reports of Ukrainian police and security personnel refusing to allow Nigerians to board buses and trains heading towards the Ukraine-Poland border,” noted the statement.
”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.”
The presidency demanded that everyone should be treated with dignity and without favour, adding that all who flee a conflict situation have the same right to the safe passage under UN Convention.
“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,” added the statement.
The presidency also mentioned that Nigeria would continue to support diplomatic efforts to bring the war between Russia and Ukraine to an end, while stressing that there is a long history dating back to decades of Nigerians and other Africans studying in Ukraine, particularly medicine.
”As a nation, we are proud of those educated in Kyiv and Kharkiv and other cities and centres of learning who have returned to Nigeria to perform great service for our nation and our people,” added the statement.
“Without the generosity of spirit of the Ukrainian people that would never have been possible. We pray for those directly affected by this conflict. Nigeria, with our 200 million people, supports all and every diplomatic effort to bring this war to an end.”
