Nigeria to evacuate stranded citizens abroad but…

The federal government on Friday announced its plans to evacuate stranded citizens abroad in the wake of the coronavirus ravaging many nations.

The citizens would, however, be made to pay for the cost of evacuation back home, an official has said.

The government has subsequently directed missions abroad to compile a list of Nigerians willing to return home.

The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, announced the move in a statement issued by the commission’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, a copy of which was made available to Premium Times.

She explained that a number of nationals were requesting to come back home due to the lockdown many nations have embarked upon due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mrs Dabiri-Erewa added that the Ministry of Finance had instructed that cost will be covered by the prospective evacuees.

She noted that they will also be compulsorily quarantined on arrival in the country.

She urged interested citizens to liaise with the Nigeria embassy in their country of residence.

– Premium Times