Another batch of Nigerians – over 400 people- on Friday returned to the country from Saudi Arabia, a day after 384 others came back from the same nation.
The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa put the number of returnees – who arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport onboard Saudi Arabia Airline SV-3413 at exactly 11:57 a.m – at 424.
424 more Nigerians stranded in Saudi have arrived Abuja . They will proceed on the mandatory 14 days quarantine . We appeal to Nigerians to desist from illegal migration. pic.twitter.com/pUsvvYwffK
— Abike Dabiri-Erewa (@abikedabiri) January 29, 2021
READ ALSO: Service Chiefs Nominated But Not Appointed Yet, Says Falana
Yesterday’s returnees – 300 males, 83 females, and one infant – were received by a representative of the minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bolaji at the Hajj Terminal where he charged them not to despair.
READ ALSO: VIRAL VIDEO: About 600 Stranded Nigerians In Saudi Arabia Call For Help
He, however, said the Nigerian government does not support illegal migration.
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.
The evacuation of the stranded Nigerians followed a viral video in which they called for help. The videos showed bodies – wrapped in black polythene bags – lying on the floor in a packed room with a voice narrating that they have been stranded for more than seven months.
As promised , the Federal Govt has brought back stranded Nigerians from SaudiArabia.. More information @nidcom_gov pic.twitter.com/9oOinOuBEc
— Abike Dabiri-Erewa (@abikedabiri) January 28, 2021
“I can’t confirm the video. But I know that we have 600 Nigerians that are illegal migrants, that would be leaving Saudi Arabia,” the Chairman of NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa said while responding to the viral video.
READ ALSO: Troops Kill Bandits During Air Operations in Kaduna – Govt
“Yesterday we were with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, and other officials and plans have already been made to get them home before the end of the month pending any unforeseen circumstances.”