The Nigerian Embassy in Ukraine has issued a security advisory to nationals living in Ukraine, saying they are “responsible for their personal security and safety.”

In a statement shared on Twitter by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, the embassy urged nationals resident in Ukraine “to remain calm but be very vigilant and be responsible for their personal security and safety.”

Thousands of Nigerians live in Ukraine, many of whom are students in various higher institutions in the country currently under Russian invasion.

Despite threats of a Russian attack on Ukraine since the beginning of the year, no plans were made for the evacuation of Nigerians.

Peoples Gazette had previously reported the Buhari-led regime’s silence on the state of its nationals living in Ukraine, despite the scramble by other countries to evacuate their citizens.

In January, Nigerians currently studying in Ukrainian universities were pegged at 12,000 people by the country representative of Ukrainian universities in Nigeria, Cliff Ogbeide.

On Thursday, Russia’s Vladimir Putin announced military action in a televised address on Thursday morning, saying the move was a response to threats from Ukraine.

Mr Putin accused the U.S. and its allies of ignoring Russia’s demand to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO, saying the Russian invasion is to ensure a “demilitarisation” of Ukraine.

Multiple reports note that explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv shortly after Mr Putin’s address, as well as explosions in the cities of Odessa and Kharkiv. 

At least eight people have been reported killed and nine wounded by a Russian shelling, according to an advisor to the Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs.