Amb. Frank Isoh, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ukraine has said that Nigerians in Crimea will require a new residence permit to stay in that region which was recently absobed into Russia.
Isoh in a telephone interview with the Europe Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday put the number of Nigerians in Crimea at 240, out of which 175 are students studying medicine.
He said that the Nigeria’s embassy in Russia would now be in charge of consular services of Nigerians in Crimea.
Isoh, however, said that issues relating to passport registration would still be handled by the mission in Kiev.
“For passport registration, the mission in Ukraine will still be contacted as it is one of the nation’s few embassies in Eastern Europe with passport issuing facility. So we will still attend to those with passport related concerns.”
The envoy, however, restated that no Nigerian was attacked in the recent protest in Ukraine.
He commended Nigerian students in Crimea for their sense of maturity in understanding the political crisis in that country.
He further said that in spite of the development, day-to-day life still remained the same, while urging parents to stay calm as their wards are not in danger.
NAN reports that on March 21 Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law which formalised the absorption of Crimea to Russia after a referendum.
The US, EU and others have sanctioned Russia for its action, which includes suspension from G8. (NAN)