23 Nigerian citizens stayed at Vnukovo Airport for almost two weeks begging, pestering other passengers, washing in sinks and sleeping in armchairs.....
A combination of strict asylum policy for migrants and excruciating hardship have forced a number of Nigerians trafficked to Russia as Super Eagles fans to storm the Nigerian Embassy in Moscow seeking help to return home.
They were allegedly made to part with N350,000 each to enable them to travel to the transcontinental country by some agents using the visa-free FAN ID for the 2018 World Cup. It was learnt that while some of them were told that there are job opportunities for Africans in Russia, others were told that they could cross the borders into Poland and Finland on arrival in the country to seek asylum.
Sources said they were also told that they could seek asylum in Russia if they failed to cross the borders into Western Europe. It was learnt some of the ‘fans’ (including others from Africa) succeeded in crossing into Poland at the early stages of the World Cup. But when the Polish authorities discovered, they tightened security around their borders to stop more ‘fans’ using their country to hit Germany and Denmark.
The Russian media reported that some Africans had been detained trying to cross the Finnish border during the tournament. After many Nigerian ‘fans’ failed to cross the borders, they decided to seek political asylum in Russia, citing fears of political persecution in their country. However, they discovered that it is difficult for asylum seekers to obtain refugee status in Russia, with only 582 people admitted as refugees in 2017.
With biting hardship after they ran out of money, the ‘fans’ decided to seek help from the Nigerian Embassy. No fewer than 70 of them stormed the Nigerian Embassy calling for Nigerian Ambassador Steve Ugbah to help them.
Ugbah promised to provide them with food and shelter while he looks for a way to get them home.
According to AP. Crime Russia quoted Telegram channel Mash as reporting that 23 Nigerian citizens stayed at Vnukovo Airport for almost two weeks begging, pestering other passengers, washing in sinks and sleeping in armchairs.
From punch
From punch
Na wa o. This is not it at all.
ReplyDeleteSome of these Nigerians are so gullible. Do they not take into consideration the language barrier, racism, and how visibly different they look from the majority of the ppl in these countries. These countries mentioned in the articles are some of the most xenophobic countries in all of Europe, they sent them on a death mission. They should be happy they are still alive. When these scammers come with promises of how they can improve your life ask hard questions, make Google your friend, seek answers before you part with a dime. Don't take up yourself moving to some strange country where you don't know the language or culture just like that.
ReplyDeleteDon't waste your breath.
DeleteNigerians and stupidity/gullibility are like 5/6.
lol! Some people are so gullible that you will wonder IF truly they have a functioning brain.
DeleteBoth of you anonymous are right.
Nigeria is always in the news for the wrong reasons..
ReplyDeleteChai,Nigerians and traveling out, God help us build this nation.
ReplyDeleteNext time when they hear "Ko sere ni Moscow" they will try to understand the meaning before travelling. So they think Putin is a comedian abi? Even heads of state dey watch their back for Russia, e come be Naija hustlers. If they don't get out before the WC ends, their name na "sorry". Russians don't play o and naija suffering dey learn work for where Russia dey. Russia no follow for "the abroad" abeg and even their language sef no dey useful outside their country.
ReplyDeleteKo sere ni Moscow!
ReplyDeleteSo they had 350,000 each and could not make good use of it in Nigeria. The rate at which Nigerians want to travel out is alarming, they won't learn from the Libya returnees
ReplyDeleteKindly advice others what to do with #350,000.
DeleteWhat to do with #350,000? DO NOT GIVE IT TO SCAMMERS!!!!
DeleteChai! This is pathetic
ReplyDeleteThey must hv travelled with a return ticket!
ReplyDeleteIt’s a part of traveling requirement before any airline can lift u in the first place else u are a citizen or a permanent resident of the country u are travelled to.
Why don’t they come back with the return ticket?
Just Krix!
My thoughts exactly.....where is their return ticket?
DeleteThey already missed the flight
DeleteSo thewho return ticket no deylonger expire again when u did not take the flight?
DeleteOk
ReplyDelete