Nigerian Student Tackles Ambitious Journey To Flee From Ukraine To Poland

An estimated 100,000 Ukrainians have already crossed the border into Poland and other countries to flee from war. International organisations expect up to 5 million refugees in the weeks ahead. For many foreigners still in Ukraine, the risky and arduous journey to reach the border often turns out to be particularly hard. There are thousands of international students among them. Alexander from Nigeria is one of them. Here is his story.

After three days on the move from Kyiv, Alexander Orah, a second-year student has finally reached the western Ukrainian city of Lviv close to the Polish border. But this is not the end of his journey as there are worries that given his Nigerian passport, he will not be let through. So, as he treks on foot westward with fellow Africans, the tension grows with every step they take.

Alexander’s journey began on Thursday evening when he had to leave his apartment and find shelter at his local school hostel.

“My roommate had left without warning on the Thursday and told the landlord to lock up. I had nowhere to go but the school hostel. We hid in the bomb shelter as the sirens went off around us. I was scared. After returning to the hostel I knew I had to leave, I didn’t know how and I had little money, but I could not stay. So, I followed where others were going - to get a train to a western region of Ukraine.”

The images of the main Kyiv railway station on the Friday have made international news, with thousands boarding trains to reach Poland, heading first to the western city of Lviv.

“When the first train arrived it was for women and children only” explains Alexander recounting his journey which started at the station in central Kyiv. “When the second train arrived, we were told it was for the white men remaining. When the third train came, it was only for Ukrainian citizens.”

It was then that Alexander and his fellow African students realised that for them things would be even harder than for others. “So, when the fourth one arrived, I had to take my chance, to have a shot at freedom and get away from the war.”

Together with his companions, he helped several female African students to get through the crowd and onto the train. “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.”

“In wartime you imagine people to stick together and not let prejudice interfere with safety, yet that’s what happened. Racism led to us Africans being pushed to one side. I imagine that if we did not push through those crowds, we would have been left for dead.”

He has documented his journey on his Twitter page which has been shared by thousands of users who are now following his story.

“You know the funniest part? We all knew that we will be the last to enter, so we always wait until they were satisfied with boarding their people. Then the remaining small space, we Africans rush in like wild animals and pile up like luggage.”

When they managed to board a train for the first time and get into one of the compartments with seats, Ukrainian police removed him and fellow Africans almost immediately due to their lack of citizenship.

“Train to Poland got here, I and other two Africans entered first, a few minutes later, the police came in and dragged us down from our compartment. Only Ukrainians are allowed. I don’t blame them, though. I blame African leaders.”

After another long wait, Alexander managed to push through the remaining crowd to secure his spot on the next train ready to embark on an 8-hour journey.

From his Twitter he posted,

“If you have anyone who can get me to the border, I will appreciate it. I am ready to pay.”

People responded quickly offering advice, including numbers for him to call. A few hours later Alexander announces he is on his way from Lviv to the border by car.

“I ordered a taxi, he accepted, called, and told me to cancel the online booking because he wants the trip to be offline.”

However, his journey is far from over yet.

Cars can only reach a certain point before they are stopped, leading to thousands of people walking the rest of the way. A tiresome journey after hours of waiting, with no sleep, no food, and a sense of fear for what may lie ahead.

“I am tired, I’m breathing heavily and they said we’ll be walking for almost half a day.”

The Polish government have been busy setting up eight reception centres close to the Polish-Ukrainian border. They are accepting those fleeing from Ukraine without the need for paperwork, and have lifted COVID restrictions. However, there have been reports across social media that Nigerians were being turned away and refused entry at the border adding to the uncertainty and fear of many making the journey. Joanna Tarnawska, the Polish ambassador to Nigeria has since made a statement saying that everyone who reaches the border will receive the same treatment, “I can assure you I have reports that some Nigerian nationals have indeed crossed the border into Poland, they have 15 days to leave the country or find other provisions.”

If Alexander is successful in crossing into Poland, he is expected to be met with the volunteers from the Polish Red Cross who are offering food, clothes and any other supplies needed to weary travellers. But rest may not be an option, as although there is safety and shelter in Poland, a country he does not know, he now has just two weeks to figure out what to do next and where his final destination will be.