Poland has said that she was allowing citizens from Ukraine, US, Nigeria, India, Georgia, other Africans as well to cross the Ukrainian border into Poland.

According to a statement by the Polish Ministry of the Interior and Administration who shared a tweet on Sunday argued that the dominant people trying to cross the border were Ukrainians and that Nigerians and other African citizens were being allowed as well.

“Ukraine has made the decision to accept Polish assistance for the people waiting for clearance on the Ukrainian side of the border crossing in #Medyka. We are ready to offer this service at any time at other border crossings,” Polish Ministry of the Interior and Administration stated.

However, in an attempt to counter the racial allegations against Poland, the Polish Ministry of the Interior and Administration shared a tweet on Sunday saying: “#StopFakeNews! Refugees fleeing war-stricken Ukraine are entering Poland regardless of their nationality.

Although the dominant group in need of refuge in Poland are Ukraine citizens, the Border Guard also cleared nationals of countries such as the US, Nigeria, India, Georgia and others.,”.

There had been accusations that citizens from Nigerian and South Africa were denied entry into Poland for no just cause.

The Presidency yesternight expressed concern over the plight of some Nigerians in Ukraine and called on the authorities of the country to treat Nigerian citizens in the country with dignity

The Presidency in statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu expressed worry over the treatment meted out to Nigerian citizens.

The statement read: “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.

“There is a long history dating back to decades of Nigerians and other Africans studying in Ukraine, particularly medicine. The majority of Nigerian citizens in the country today are university-enrolled students.

“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.

“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. “There are also separate reports of Polish officials simply refusing Nigerian citizens’ entry into Poland from Ukraine.

“One group of Nigerian students having been repeatedly refused entry into Poland have concluded they have no choice but to travel again across Ukraine and attempt to exit the country via the border with Hungary.

“We understand the pain and fear that is confronting all people who find themselves in this terrifying place. “We also appreciate that those in official positions in security and border management will in most cases be experiencing impossible expectations in a situation they never expected.”

But, for that reason, it is paramount that everyone is treated with dignity and without favour. “All who flee a conflict situation have the same right to safe passage under UN Convention and the colour of their passport or their skin should make no difference.

“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.

“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, support all and every diplomatic effort to bring this war to an end.”

Meanwhile, the Government of Hungary has extended a hand of fellowship to Nigeria by waving aside the presentation of visa for all Nigerians in Ukraine seeking entrance into or passage through the country.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Gabriel Aduda disclosed this yesterday via his Twitter page by tweeting a Public Travel Advisory, four days since the Russian military invade Ukraine sparking military conflict and a humanitarian crisis.

But the core requirements for admission into Hungary from Ukraine includes a valid Nigerian passport and Ukrainian resident permit. The federal government also advised that interested persons should carry some Euro currencies along.

Other emergency guidelines are listed below:
“The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Budapest, Hungary wishes to inform Nigerian nationals arriving from Ukraine, that the Government of Hungary has enacted Decree 56/2022 (24.11), which permits third country nationals with valid Ukrainian resident permits to enter Hungary on a temporary basis, without a Schengen visa. As such, Nigerians arriving at the Hungary-Ukraine border can enter Hungary, either on transit to Nigeria, or to temporarily reside in the country.

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“Consequently, arrangements are underway for the transportation of Nigerians nationals, to enable them stabilize. To that effect therefore, affected Nigerian nationals wishing to be admitted into Hungary are advised to have their travel documents (valid Nigerian passport and Ukrainian resident permit) with some money in Euros, and cooperate with the Hungarian border authorities.

“Affected Nigerian nationals are advised to send their names, phone numbers, email addresses and a copy of their passport biodata page to the Embassy’s consular email: secretary@nigerianembassy.hu, to enable the facilitation of the aforementioned arrangements.

For information and guidance on consular assistance, please contact the following persons, who would be on ground to coordinate I. Mr. Stanley OPARA (Consular Officer) – +36308202903 II. Mr. Ayotunde Adigun (Immigration Attache) – +36308639203

“Finally, further necessary updates will be regularly communicated through the official website of the Embassy (www.nigerianembassy.hu). Please disregard any information purportedly issued by the Embassy about entry into Hungary, that is not conveyed via Mission’s website.

A South African Government official, Mr Clayson Monyela, has said that Africans who are trying to flee Ukraine are receiving unfair treatment at the country’s borders with neighbouring Poland.

Clayson Monyela, head of diplomacy and Spokesperson for the country’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation disclosed this in a tweet yesterday, adding that the nation’s ambassador is at the area to pick up South African citizens.

“SA students & other Africans have been badly treated at the #Ukraine/Poland border. South Africa Amb J. Mngomezulu has driven from Warsaw (5 hours) to go deal with the matter, receive our nationals & offer further support. Amb G. Tsengiwe in Hungary is also attending to SANs on his side,” he tweeted.

There are reports that some Africans, including Nigerian students, were stopped at the border and sent back to the long queue of people trying to escape. A Twitter user, Asya, tweeted on Sunday about the harsh treatment but added that she and others finally arived at Poland to face another round of discrimination with regards to accomodation.

“I can confirm this. 6+ hours several buses crossing every hour and not one foreigner allowed across. We finally made it across and we’re told accommodation at the hotel is only for Ukrainians. No sleep or food in 3 days, walked 20+ km. Why does nationality determine who rests,” Asya tweeted.

But the Polish government has reacted to the accusations. First, it stated in a Twitter post that it is receiving all people from Ukraine so long as they have been cleared by the host country.