Tag: NIDCOM

Viral Video: Nigerian Embassy In Switzerland Didn’t Call Police On Nigerians, Says NIDCOM

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has denied claims that the Nigerian Embassy in Switzerland called police on some Nigerians who were at the Embassy to collect their passports.

NIDCOM in a statement signed on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Abdurrahman Balogun, said the Embassy instead invited officials of the Embassy Protection Unit to bring order to the situation which was already turning rowdy.

“The mission did not call the Police as erroneously stated in the video but invited the Embassy Protection Unit to bring calm and decorum back to the hall.

“The men of the Embassy protection unit addressed them and those on appointment as well as those who had made their online payments were attended to while others were advised to follow the due process, with an assurance that everyone will be attended to as long as the rules were followed,” the statement read in part.

READ ALSO: US Hails INEC, Security Agencies Over Edo Guber Poll

While explaining further the circumstances which led to the commotion in the viral video, NIDCOM said 64 Nigerians besieged the mission on that day, whereas the Embassy could only attend to a maximum of 20 persons at a time in line with the COVID-19 protocols.

Although a voice could be heard in the viral video alleging that the Swiss police were called to arrest the Nigerians who were at the embassy to collect their passports, NIDCOM insists no Nigerian was arrested.

“In view of the above video it is imperative to state the facts. In line with Covid-19 protocols, the Embassy in Bern. Switzerland is only allowed to attend to 10 applicants, however, the Mission made it possible to attend to a maximum of 20 daily, spacing out the appointments.

“But on this day, 64 Nigerians besieged the Nigerian mission in Bern. Only 10 of them were on the scheduled appointments.

“54 of them had no appointment for that day and had not made the mandatory online payment and the majority of the applicants came from Italy and Spain with no appointment with no online payment.

“While the Nigerian Ambassador Baba Madagu was addressing them, they barged in through the front door and overcrowded a hall that was meant to receive only 10 people at a time,” the statement read in part.

It, therefore, appealed to Nigerians abroad to be good ambassadors of Nigeria wherever they are and obey laws put in place.

261 Stranded Nigerians In China Arrive Home – NIDCOM

A photo of an Air Peace plane. Credit: Air Peace
A photo of an Air Peace plane. Credit: Air Peace

 

The Nigerians In Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) said on Wednesday that 261 Nigerians stranded in China have returned home.

“261 Stranded Nigerians in China returned yesterday 25th August 2020 from Guangzhou, China via @flyairpeace flight,” the Commission said.

“All evacuees are now on a 14-day SELF ISOLATION as mandated by @NCDCgov and Presidential Task Force on #Covid_19.”

Channels Television had earlier reported the evacuation of the stranded persons from China, confirmed by the Nigerian Embassy in Beijing.

Since the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in Wuhan, China in December, thousands of Nigerians have been evacuated back home from across the world.

The evacuations became necessary after the pandemic forced commercial airlines to close up shop as countries restricted inter-border travel.

 

 

NIDCOM Warns Parents Against Sending Their Children To Schools In Northern Cyprus

A file photo of Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
A file photo of Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

 

The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has warned parents against sending their children to schools in Northern Cyprus.

This follows several incessant and mysterious killing of Nigerians in the country.

Dabiri-Erewa stated this on Monday when she received a delegation at her office, led by Justice Amina Bello, mother of a Nigerian student, Ibrahim Khaleel, who was allegedly killed in that country.

She called on parents to be weary of sending their wards to Northern Cyprus as the country is not recognized by the United Nations except the Republic of Turkey, adding that Nigeria has no diplomatic ties with that country.

The NIDCOM boss, however, insisted that the country should be blacklisted given the preponderance of Nigerian students who have died mysteriously in that country without any prosecution or compensation whatsoever.

“The time has come for us to blacklist all these Universities in Northern Cyprus and advise our students from seeking any form of admission there as it portends danger to their life and future”.

 

Read Full Statement Below:

*DEATH OF IBRAHIM KHALEEL BELLO: NIDCOM DEMANDS JUSTICE, URGES STUDENTS TO AVOID NORTHERN CYPRUS UNIVERSITIES

Abuja, Aug. 24, 2020 .
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has demanded that justice must be served accordingly on the sudden death of a 25-year old Nigerian student in Northern Cyprus, Mr Ibrahim Khaleel Bello and others killed in such mysterious circumstances in the country.

She made this passionate plea following a petition by Hon. Justice Amina Ahmad Bello, a Judge in Kaduna state High Court on the mysterious and , inexplicable death of her son, a third-year civil Engineering Degree student of Girne American University in Girne (Kyrenia), Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus ( TRNC) via Mersin 10, Turkey in Abuja on Monday.

Dabiri-Erewa called on parents to be weary of sending their wards to Northern Cyprus as the country is not recognized by the United Nations except the Republic of Turkey, adding that Nigeria has no diplomatic ties with that country.

She insisted that the Country should be blacklisted given the preponderance of Nigerian Students who have died mysteriously in that country without any prosecution or compensation whatsoever.

She assured the delegation led by Justice Bello, that NIDCOM will work with the Ministry of Justice, Nigerian Mission in Turkey and other relevant agencies to ensure justice is done , saying “ the death of Ibrahim khaleel Bello should be a tipping point to end the continuous killings of Nigerian students in that Country.”

Dabiri-Erewa reiterated her appeals to Nigerian parents to desist in sending their children to Northern Cyprus for any studies as most of the courses are not accredited and they end up killing the children., many of them unreported .

” The time has come for us to blacklist all these Universities in Northern Cyprus and advise our students from seeking any form of admission there as it portends danger to their life and future”, she said.

She added that the office of the Attorney General of the Federation has already reported the matter to Interpol for further investigation.

Earlier in an emotion-laden voice, Justice Amina Ahmad Bello, mother of the deceased, said her insistence on justice was not only for her son but also other Nigerian Students who have died mysteriously in the Girne American University Girne (Kyrenia), and other Universities in Northern Cyprus.

She narrated how her son was allegedly murdered and covered up by the authorities in Northern Cyprus as welll as the University authorities claiming it was a suicide mission having fallen from a seven-storey building.

She insisted that the report be investigated and all those found culpable be prosecuted as there was nothing to show that her son committed suicide.

Justice Bello said hours before her son was killed, she spoke with him, and he was expressing fears on his safety in the University environment.

” I don’t believe it was an accident or a suicide as I went to Cyprus barely 24 hours it happened and got to the mortuary where there was no scratch or wound on his body.

” I suspected foul play that my son was killed as the school was non- challant in breaking the news to me on my arrival there”

Justice Bello said hours before the boy died, he sent her a WhatsApp message that ” Mama, Please I want to come back home. Wallahi if i stay here, I will just die here without anybody batting an eyelash. I just need to come back home. Mama please try to understand that this isn’t a place for me”.

She alleged that it is possible some of the killed Nigerian students’ vital organs were harvested as her son’s stomach was opened and sutured when the corpse was finally released.

The late Ibrahim Khaleel Bello was among about 100 Nigerians killed and murdered in mysterious circumstances from 2016 to 2020 without prosecuting any of the assailants.

Other victims include, Kennedy Taomwabwa Dede, 28, student of Eastern Mediterranean University and was killed on Feb. 1, 2018, Walshak Augustine Ngok, a student of Marine Engineering at Near East University, murdered on April 19, 2019.

Others were Gabriel Soriwei, a first-year student of Electrical Electronics of Cyprus International University, Nicosia, Osabanjo Adeola Owoyale, 33, went missing and found dead on July 1, 2019.

The list includes Augustine Wallies killed on April 19, 2019, Stanley Eteimo, 28 years, Hassan Babatunde, 28, murdered, Temitayo Adigun, killed, Kubiat Abasi Abraham Okon, 24, killed, Oziegbe Gospower Airekugose and Olasubomi Ope among others not reported.

Signed
Gabriel Odu,
Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit,
NIDCOM ok

186 Nigerians Stranded In South Africa Set To Return Home

The flight taking carrying the Nigerians taking off. Photo: [email protected]

 

One hundred and eighty-six Nigerians stranded in South Africa are on their way home.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) which disclosed this via its official Twitter handle, said the evacuees will arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos aboard an Air Peace flight.

READ ALSO: UK High Commission In Nigeria To Replace Expired 30-Day Visas For Free

“All Evacuees tested Negative to #COVID19 before boarding and will proceed on 14-day SELF-ISOLATION as mandated by NCDC, FMOH and PTF on COVID-19 on arrival,” the agency added.

 


The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic had halted international travels across the world, prompting different countries to evacuate their citizens stranded in other nations.

Although Nigeria took a while before evacuating its citizens stranded abroad, the country has as of July 21st, evacuated 6,317 Nigerians.

The NIDCOM Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa said Nigerian has successfully repatriated citizens from Egypt, France, India, Turkey, Sudan, Uganda and Kenya.

Also not left out are Senegal, Pakistan, Egypt, China, Malaysia and Thailand, Lebanon, Canada, South Africa, and Ghana.

Int’l Flights Resume

As the country continues to reopen its economy, the Federal Government had on Monday disclosed that international flights will resume on August 29th.

 

File photo: Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, announces the date for resumption of international flights at the PTF briefing in Abuja on August 17, 2020.

 

“We are very glad today to announce that international flights will resume from August 29, 2020,” the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said during a briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

“However, what we have become used to – physical distancing, wearing of masks, washing of hands, temperature taking, etc will continue.”

He explained that it will commence at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

 

296 More Nigerians Arrive In Abuja From UK

A picture published by the Nigerians In Diaspora Commission on August 15, 2020, showing Nigerian evacuees from the UK arriving at the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport in Abuja.
A picture published by the Nigerians In Diaspora Commission on August 15, 2020, showing Nigerian evacuees from the UK arriving at the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport in Abuja.

 

At least 296 persons have arrived at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja from the United Kingdom, the Nigerians In Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) said on Saturday.

The evacuees flew in from the Gatwick Airport in London via an Air Peace flight, NIDCOM said in a tweet.

 

The Diaspora Commission added that all 296 will now proceed on a 14-day self-isolation as mandated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

About 327 Nigerians also arrived from the UK on August 7

Thousands of stranded Nigerians have been brought back home by the Federal Government since the coronavirus pandemic disrupted travel operations across the world.

In July, NIDCOM Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa said 6,317 Nigerians have been evacuated from abroad.

170 Stranded Nigerians Return From Dubai

The aircraft conveying the stranded Nigerians from Dubai. Credit: NIDCOM

 

One hundred and seventy Nigerians have returned from Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, taking the number of evacuees from the Arab nation to over 3,000.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) disclosed this in a tweet via its official handle on Friday.

It explained that the evacuees arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos on board the Fly Dubai airlines.

According to the agency, the returnees who arrived on Friday night came on board one of three free flights offered by the UAE government.

The UAE government offered the gesture to Nigerians whose documentation expired since March 1 and were given till August 17 to leave the country.

All evacuees tested negative to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and are now on a mandatory 14-day self-isolation as part of the guidelines stipulated by the Presidential Task Force.

This development comes three days after 292 more Nigerians were evacuated from the UAE.

On Thursday, NIDCOM said 175 Nigerians returned from Uganda.

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As at June 2020, the Federal Government said it had spent N169 million on the evacuation of Nigerians from overseas.

During a briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 on April, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, had directed all Nigerians interested in returning to the country to work with Nigeria’s embassies and high commissions where they are.

“What is important to get out to all Nigerians is that their engagement and communication should be with the embassies, high commissions and not with any other parallel agency, department of government or anything like that.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted regular daily activities in several countries across the world, leaving millions of people stranded in foreign nations.

Against the backdrop of the outbreak, many countries initiated the process of evacuating their citizens back home.

Nigeria is not left out as the Federal Government has facilitated the repatriation of thousands of its citizens stranded abroad.

Among the nations where Nigerians have been brought back home include the United States, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Sudan, France, Ethiopia, and several others.

175 Nigerians Stranded In Uganda Return Home

The arrival of the evacuees at the Abuja Airport. Photo: [email protected]

 

 

One hundred and seventy-five Nigerians stranded in Uganda have returned home on Thursday.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) disclosed this in a tweet on its official handle.

According to the agency, the returnees arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja around 1 pm, Nigerian time.

“They all tested negative to COVID-19 and will proceed on a 14-day SELF-ISOLATION as mandated by NCDC and PTF on COVID-19,” NIDCOM said.

 

NIDCOM had earlier announced the arrival of ninety-four Nigerian ladies stranded in Lebanon after the video of the girls recently went viral on social media.

READ ALSO: We Cannot Afford To Let Our Economy Slide, PTF Tells Business Owners

The agency said the ladies who arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos will undergo a 14-day self-isolation in line with the guidelines of the Federal Government on COVID-19.

Quest For Greener Pastures

On August 1,  the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) said about 5,000 Nigerians are stranded in Lebanon.

The agency’s Director-General, Julie Okah-Donli confirmed the figure, saying many Nigerians are being trafficked into the country with the promise of good, well-paid jobs.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic halted travels across the world, several nations have been evacuating their nationals stranded in other countries.

Nigeria had also joined the long list of countries evacuating its citizens stranded in other nations.

On Wednesday, two hundred and ninety-two Nigerians returned from the United Arab Emirates, taking the number of evacuees from the Arab nation to 2,933.

This came a few days after 327 Nigerians returned to the West African country from the United Kingdom.

As at June 2020, the Federal Government said it had spent N169 million on the evacuation of Nigerians from overseas.

 

94 Nigerian Girls Stranded In Lebanon Return Home

The evacuees at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. Photo: NIDCOM

 

 

Ninety-four Nigerian ladies stranded in Lebanon have returned home on Thursday evening following the intervention of the Federal Government. 

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) disclosed the arrival of the ladies on its official Twitter handle.

A video of the girls, numbering 150, crying for help, had recently gone viral on social media, prompting the Nigerian government to move in.

 

 

According to NIDCOM, the ladies who arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos will undergo a 14-day self-isolation in line with the guidelines of the Federal Government on COVID-19.

In a video posted by the Chairman of NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the returnees could be seen singing and thanking the Federal Government for repatriating them.

 

 

While calling on the government to come to their rescue, the ladies were seen in the viral video clustered in a room, seated in a tight circle, and their backs against the wall.

Some stood and one of them could be seen fanning herself.

They all wore face masks or covered their faces as a voice boomed in the background. “Good morning our government,” the voice started. “Please, we are pleading with you, we are stranded . . . we want to come home.”

Quest For Greener Pastures

On August 1,  the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) said about 5,000 Nigerians are stranded in Lebanon.

The agency’s Director-General, Julie Okah-Donli confirmed the figure, saying many Nigerians are being trafficked into the country with the promise of good, well-paid jobs.

On the viral video of the ladies, she said: “When these ones are airlifted, another batch will cry for help.”

 

 

 

 

292 More Nigerians Arrive In Abuja From UAE

Emirates Airlines
File: The Emirates Airlines plane conveying some evacuated Nigerians from Dubai, the United Arab Emirates arrive the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on June 19, 2020.

 

Two hundred and ninety-two Nigerians have returned from the United Arab Emirates, taking the number of evacuees from the Arab nation to 2,933.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) disclosed this in a tweet via its official handle on Wednesday.

It explained that the evacuees arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at 02:30 pm on board an Emirates flight.

Although the agency said the evacuees had tested negative to COVID-19, they would be undergoing a mandatory 14-day self-isolation, in line with the guidelines issued by the Federal Government.

Today’s evacuation from the UAE comes two days after 288 more Nigerians returned from the country.

On Sunday, NIDCOM said 327 Nigerians returned from the United Kingdom.

READ ALSO: 331 Nigerians Arrive In Abuja From UAE

As at June 2020, the Federal Government said it had spent N169 million on the evacuation of Nigerians from overseas.

During a briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 on April, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, had directed all Nigerians interested in returning to the country to work with Nigeria’s embassies and high commissions where they are.

“What is important to get out to all Nigerians is that their engagement and communication should be with the embassies, high commissions and not with any other parallel agency, department of government or anything like that.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted regular daily activities in several countries across the world, leaving millions of people stranded in foreign nations.

Against the backdrop of the outbreak, many countries initiated the process of evacuating their citizens back home.

Nigeria is not left out as the Federal Government has facilitated the repatriation of thousands of its citizens stranded abroad.

Among the nations where Nigerians have been brought back home include the United States, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Sudan, France, Ethiopia, and several others.

327 Nigerians Set To Return From UK Today, Says NIDCOM

The evacuees on their way to Nigeria. Photo: [email protected]

 

 

Three hundred and twenty seven Nigerians are set to return to the country today from the United Kingdom.

The evacuees have already departed the Gatwick Airport, London, and are expected to land at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja aboard an Air Peace flight, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), tweeted on its handle.

“They are expected to arrive at Nnamdi Azikiwe Int’l Airport Abuja later today and proceed on a 14-day SELF ISOLATION as mandated by NCDC and Presidential Task Force on COVID-19,” the agency added.

READ ALSO: SERAP Asks World Bank To ‘Tread Carefully In Disbursing $114.28m Credit For Nigeria’

 

 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted travels across the world, thousands of Nigerians have been evacuated back home.

On Saturday, NIDCOM said 332 evacuees had arrive the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos from the Gatwick Airport, London UK at about 7:40 pm Local time via Air Peace.

Earlier that day, 87 Nigerians had returned from Sudan with another 311 evacuees also coming from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In early June, the Federal Government said it had spent N169 million on the evacuation of Nigerians from overseas.

87 Nigerians Arrive In Abuja From Sudan

The Air Sudan passenger plane conveying the Nigerian returnees arrive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on August 8, 2020. Credit: NIDCOM

 

Eighty-seven Nigerians have arrived in Abuja, the nation’s capital from Sudan.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) disclosed this on Saturday, adding that the Air Sudan flight conveyed the returnees.

According to the agency, the flight landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at about 09:15 am.

“87 Stranded Nigerians arrive Nnamdi Azikiwe Int’l Airport, Abuja at about 0915HRS via Air Sudan today, Saturday 8th, 2020,” NIDCOM said.

The returnees are to undergo mandatory self-isolation in line with guidelines from the Presidential Task Force and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

READ ALSO: Nigeria Records 443 More COVID-19 Cases, Total Infections Now 45,687

This comes a day after 331 Nigerians were repatriated from the United Arab Emirates.

Although the evacuees had tested negative to COVID-19, NIDCOM said they will be undergoing mandatory self-isolation in line with PTF and NCDC guidelines.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted travels across the world, thousands of Nigerians have been evacuated back home.

331 Nigerians Arrive In Abuja From UAE

The aircraft carrying Nigerian returnees from UAE land at the Nnamdi International Airport, Abuja on August 7, 2020.

 

Three hundred and thirty-one Nigerians have arrived in Abuja, the nation’s capital from the United Arab Emirates.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission disclosed this on Friday via Twitter.

According to the agency, the flight conveying the returnees landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at about 1424hours.

“Emirates flight conveying 331 Evacuees landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Int’l Airport, Abuja at about 1424HRS from the United Arab Emirates UAE, today Friday, 7th of August, 2020,” said NIDCOM.

The returnees are to undergo mandatory self-isolation in line with guidelines from the Presidential Task Force and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

READ ALSO: 306 Nigerians Arrive In Abuja From UAE

Following their return today, the number of evacuees from the UAE has risen 2,042.

This comes two days after 306 Nigerians were repatriated from the UAE.

According to the agency, although the evacuees had tested negative to COVID-19, they will be undergoing mandatory self-isolation in line with PTF and NCDC guidelines.

 

 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted travels across the world, thousands of Nigerians have been evacuated back home.

In early June, the Federal Government said it had spent N169 million on the evacuation of Nigerians returning from overseas.