
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the world, the Federal Government says more Nigerians stranded in France and other European countries are being evacuated to the country.
This was disclosed on Sunday by the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa via Twitter.
Dabiri-Erewa explained that the citizens, who departed Citizen Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, are expected back today and will land at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The evacuation exercise was coordinated by the Nigerian Mission in France under Ambassador Modupe Irele and monitored by the commission.
Upon arrival, the Nigerian returnees are expected to proceed on a 14-day self-isolation as mandated by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.
The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa
This is the second evacuation from Europe since this month.
Meanwhile, over 6,317 Nigerians have been evacuated from abroad, and that’s according to NIDCOM.
The evacuation carried out in collaboration with the agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigerian Missions around the world comes on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic that has affected the globe.
Giving a breakdown of the figures, the NIDCOM boss said United Arab Emirates (UAE) has the highest evacuees with 1,405, followed closely by the United Kingdom with 831 and the United States with 806 Nigerians stranded Nigerians repatriated in three batches.
Evacuation update
Another set of Stranded Nigerians in France and some European Countries will depart Paris via @airfrance at 10:35 a.m to Abuja today.
The evacuation exercise was coordinated by the Nigerian Mission in France under Amb Irele and monitored by NiDCOM. pic.twitter.com/jxYKTZ5vp2— Abike Dabiri-Erewa (@abikedabiri) July 26, 2020
BREAKING
Evacuation UpdateAnother set of Stranded Nigerians in France and some European Countries will depart citizenM Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris via @airfrance flight AF0936 at exactly 10:35 a.m to Nnamdi Azikiwe Int’l Airport, Abuja today 26th of July, 2020.
1/2 pic.twitter.com/yndQ3XIoy4— Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (@nidcom_gov) July 26, 2020
The evacuation exercise was coordinated by the Nigerian Mission in France under Amb Modupe Irene and monitored by NiDCOM.
All evacuees tested negative to #COVIDー19 before boarding.@NigeriaGov @DigiCommsNG
2/2. pic.twitter.com/msHfcReEkF— Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (@nidcom_gov) July 26, 2020
Other countries where Nigerians have departed include Saudi Araba – 117, Egypt – 372, France – 70, India – 540, Turkey – 324, Sudan – 365, Uganda and Kenya – 172.
Another set of stranded Nigerians who departed Citizen Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris expected into the country on July 26, 2020. Credit: NIDCOM
Also not left out are Senegal – 17, Pakistan – 56, Egypt – 102, China – 268, Malaysia and Thailand – 247, Lebanon – 147, Canada – 51, South Africa – 324 and Ghana – 205.