Russia-Ukraine Crisis: FG Denies Issuing Travel Advisory Warning Nigerians Against Traveling To Poland, Hungary, Others

By Edna Wande Last updated Feb 22, 2022

Federal Government has disowned a viral travel advisory purportedly from the ministry of foreign affairs warning Nigerians against travelling to Russia’s neighbouring countries amid Russia-Ukraine crisis.

The six Eastern European countries mentioned in the statement were Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova.

In the statement purportedly signed by one Esther Sunsuwa, spokesperson of the ministry, the federal government was quoted to have said the embassies of the countries had stopped the issuance of their visas as a result of “the war alert from world powers” concerning Russia and Ukraine.

The statement has been shared on different social media platforms and instant messaging apps, particularly Whatsapp.

The statement reads;

The ministry of foreign affairs hereby advised, that all intending Nigeria nationals wishing to travel to Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova should be on hold until the month ending May 2022 as their embassy and the consulate have stopped issuance of visa with immediate effect. Necessary to abide to the above is the war alert from the world power to its citizen to leave those countries within 48 hours.

It added;

The fact is due to the unhealthy war alert that the world powers have given which may likely break out unforeseen war without further notice. Also, Nigerians proceeding/intending to enter the above neighbouring named countries, between Russia and Ukraine should avoid such unbearable risk.

However, foreign affairs ministry, via his Twitter handle, dismissed the statement as fake.

Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs Francisca K. Omayuli in

The statement titled “DISCLAIMER AGAINST FAKE PRESS RELEASE IN CIRCULATION” reads;

The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been drawn to a fake press release in circulation, dated 18th February, 2022, on a supposed travel advisory.

The general public may wish to note that the document with forged Reference Number and
signature did not emanate from the Ministry. The Ministry strongly condemns this
mischievous act and urges the general public to disregard the content of the fake press
release.

It added;

Furthermore, the document in circulation, is not a true reflection of the authorised template of the Ministry.
The Ministry’s authorised Press Statements are ALWAYS issued through official communication channels with the Media and on the following social media platforms via:

Twitter: @NigeriaMFA
Instagram: @NigeriaMFA
Facebook: @foreignaffairsnigeria.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja
____________
PRESS RELEASE pic.twitter.com/DRI3Mf3jfE

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria 🇳🇬 (@NigeriaMFA) February 22, 2022

Due to the escalating tension between Russia and Ukraine, the federal government of Nigeria, earlier in the month, had asked its citizens living in Ukraine to be security conscious.

Nigerians in Ukraine were also advised to carry requisite identification at all times — and avoid unnecessary travel within the country.