Dumebi Kachikwu, a 2023 presidential candidate, on Sunday, contacted the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to urgently leave Nigerians, consisting of over 5,600 students, now trapped in Ukraine as an outcome of the intrusion of the nation by

Russia. In a declaration by his media office in Abuja, he said the Federal Government should enhance its ongoing efforts and act quick to ensure that Nigerians in Ukraine do not suffer avoidable harm and casualties.

“There are over 5,600 Nigerian students in Ukraine, particularly in the medical sciences.

“I contact President Buhari to offer the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, a due date to completely evacuate all Nigerians in Ukraine, particularly students.,” he said.

He firmly insisted the Minister and NIDCOM manager must not dilly-dally however must deal with the federal governments of Ukraine and neighbouring countries to offer safe passage for Nigerian students, and other Nigerians homeowner in the country, so they can return home safely and be reunited with their households.

Kachikwu, a media professional, however, condemned what he called “international hooliganism and gangsterism” on the part of Russia.

He firmly insisted that the intrusion of Ukraine by Russia was unnecessary, particularly in a time of an international pandemic.

“Is history ready to duplicate itself as World War 1 was a driver in the spread of the Spanish Flu that took millions of lives all over the world?

“This is an outrage. This is a unnecessary and unprovoked war in a time of an international pandemic.

“President Vladimir Putin has always fancied himself as a war basic looking for to go far for himself as the Czar who redeemed Russia’s image on the world stage.

“Who next after Ukraine? I get in touch with all nations to rise against this evil.

“I call on both sides in the conflict to work out restraint and think about the human toll of war at a time like this specifically when the world is coming to grips with a pandemic.

“I contact Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) to right away condemn this unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

“When excellent guys keep peaceful in the face of evil, it prospers. China waits in the wings enjoying the response of the world as she prepares to assault Taiwan. Enough of global hooliganism and gangsterism,” he said.