Hundreds of Nigerians stranded in Saudi Arabia successfully evacuated back to Abuja

NIGERIA has successfully evacuated 372 of her citizens stranded in Saudi Arabia during the coronavirus lockdown flying them to Abuja yesterday where they will go into isolation for 14 days before returning to their homes.

As was the case with most other countries, the Nigerians were stranded in Saudi Arabia when the lockdown begun and could not leave as a result of the shutdown that grounded flights. With the lockdown being gradually lifted and international flights resuming, they were flown to Abuja yesterday.

Arriving at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja aboard a Saudi Airways plane, they touched down at about 8pm last night. According to the Nigeria Diaspora Commission (NDC) , the evacuees will now proceed on a 14-day self-isolation in line with the health guidelines laid down by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

An NDC spokesman said: “Saudi Airways flight arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on August 25th, at about 2004hrs from Saudi Arabia with estimated 372 stranded Nigerians. All evacuees will proceed on a 14-day self-isolation as mandated by the NCDC and the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19.”