By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
IN what appears like a double jeopardy for most Africans caught in the crossfire between rampaging Russian forces and the resisting Ukranian forces, some Africans are facing racism as they attempt crossing to the border of Poland through train.
Stonix News gathered on Twitter on Saturday that Africans have to wait for hours to board the trains unlike their Ukranian counterparts who enjoy preferential treatment.
One Twitter user, @nzekiev, who’s obviously a Nigerian caught in harm’s way with other Africans, tweeted that racing is rearing its ugly head in spite of the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces that has entered its third day.
In his tweep, the Nigerian from the Eastern region, alleged: “In the train stations here in Kyiv, children first, women second, Whitemen third, then the remaining is occupied by Africans.
“This means that we have waited for many hours for trains here & couldn’t enter because of this.
“Majority of Africans are still waiting to get to Lviv.”
According to him, although children and women were to come into the train in that order, African women were restricted until there was a wild protest before the racist tendency was halted.
“We had to start shouting and pushing African women to the train, so they had no other option than to allow them since they said women and children first.
“It wasn’t the case earlier,” he asserted.
In another instance, @nzekiev said the Ukrainian security agents stopped Africans from boarding yet another train except Ukrainians.
“No, still waiting for the next train. The one here is going to Poland and we were turned back. Only Ukrainians are allowed.
“Only Whites were going in until the black men there started shouting and pushing our women to enter the train, so they had no option than to allow them,” he reiterated.
One @arinzejj used the situation on ground to admonish members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB) to what it and take a cue from the alloofness of the USA and other super powers to the plight of Ukraine.
“Ukraine is fighting alone while the rest of the world is watching and Russia is closing in.
“This is for my IPOB and their supporters thinking that UN or others really care,” he warned.
Reacting to the racism allegations against the Ukrainians, one @lilian_eme, described the development as not novel or strange, but that Nigerians should learn to appreciate what they have.
“What’s so new about the story that it needs to be told? Tribalism happens in Nigeria, racism happens outside. It’s never something new.
“The story that needs to be told is how Nigerians now understand that staying in their country is way better than leaving,” she noted.
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