Ukraine crisis: Nigerian students safe, confined to campuses — envoy

Amb. Frank Isoh, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ukraine has advised students studying in that country to remain calm, and be confined to their campuses.


Isoh, who spoke against the backdrop of recent development in Ukraine, stated this in a telephone interview with the Europe Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday.

“As a Mission, we have directed Nigerian students to remain calm and be confined to their campuses.

“There are about 5,000 Nigerian students studying various courses in universities across Ukraine, out of this number, 170 are in the Crimea, the flash point of the crisis.”

The ambassador also said over 60 Nigerians has regular jobs in the troubled area, adding that even with the tensed situation, “no Nigerian has been reported killed or hurt.”

He assured parents of the safety of their children and wards as the embassy was in regular contact with the students and the Nigerian community.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State John Kerry has arrived in Kiev to meet Ukraine’s new leaders and to show support for the country’s sovereignty.

Reports say the U.S. is bringing an offer of a one billion-dollar package to help ease Ukraine’s looming financial crisis.

Kerry is expected to visit the Independence Square in the capital, Kiev, to lay flowers for victims of last month’s violence, and then head straight into a meeting with the new government.

Russian President, Vladimir Putin said there was no need to send Russian troops into Ukraine.

“But Russia reserves the right to use all means to protect its citizens in the east of the country,” Putin said.

He denied that Russian troops had besieged Ukrainians in Crimea, adding that all troops there were pro-Russian “self-defence” forces.

Putin called the toppling of President Viktor Yanukovych following mass protests as an “anti-constitutional coup and an armed seizure of power”.

Crimea has become the major focus of post-uprising Ukraine, as troops in what appeared to be Russian uniforms, surrounded Ukrainian military bases and other installations.

No fewer than 7,000 Nigerians reside in Ukraine (NAN)