384 out of 802 stranded Nigerians return from Saudi Arabia

Nigerians in Diaspora Commission on Thursday said a total of 384 out of 802 Nigerians stranded in Saudi Arabia have arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The commission said the returnees included 300 males, 83 females and one infant.

NIDCOM said the returnees arrived Abuja via Saudi Air flight B773 at about 1:10 pm local time.

“The returnees will be quarantined at the Federal Capital Territory Hajj camp for 14 days in line with the reversed COVID-19 protocols by the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19.NIDCOM said on Twitter,” NIDCOM said.

A viral video had emerged on social media about last week showing some Nigerians wrapped in black polythene bags lying on the floor in a packed room

A male narrator in the video said they have been stranded in the West Asian country for more than seven months.

“We are here for more than three months, six months, seven months, without any action, no better information on transport to Nigeria,” the male narrator in the video said.

“Most nationals of other countries have been flown back to their countries. Only we Nigerians don’t have any source or way of getting back.

“I’m here on behalf of others to seek your assistance to get us back to our country.”

Chairman of the Nigerians In Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, while reacting to the video on Friday said they would be evacuated on the 28th and 29th of January, “pending any unforeseen issues.”

“The evacuation is expected to be carried out in two batches of 400 and 200 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Dabiri-Erewa said.