Invasion of Ukraine: Some Nigerians Would Rather Be in Prison in Poland Than Return Home Says NiDCOM Chairman, Abike-Dabiri
Dabiri-Erewa mentioned that the students had been told of possible detention while the evacuation process was ongoing.
While denouncing Poland for holding Nigerians and other African students fleeing Ukraine, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, said Nigerians imprisoned in Poland were warned of the consequences.
While the evacuation process was underway, Dabiri-Erewa stated that the students had been warned that they could be detained.
The Cable
“There is no further cost.” Arrangements were made for ALL who wanted to return, thanks to @MBuhari’s direction and a government team lead by @GeoffreyOnyeama. Some stayed behind and are now being held in Poland’s inhumane prison centers. “They’ve been warned,” Dabiri-Erewa wrote on Twitter.
Dabiri-Erewa has appealed for the release of those jailed on Thursday.
Her remarks follow the approval of $8.5 million by the Federal Government for the evacuation of at least 5,000 Nigerians.
The Federal Government began evacuating Nigerians, particularly students, who had fled Ukraine to neighboring countries such as Poland as a result of the conflict in March.
On April 7, the Polish government announced that it has granted asylum to over 2,000 Nigerians and millions of other people escaping the conflict in Ukraine.
The Polish government stated that food were delivered at border crossings, transportation was provided, and local government agencies offered assistance.
