*200 Nigerian Prisoners in Saudi Arabia to be Repatriated
The federal government on Wednesday disclosed that it has completed plans to provide three free flights to evacuate Nigerians stranded in the United Arab Emirates, (UAE).
The plan for the evacuation flights was prompted by the decision of the UAE to send Nigerian citizens living in the country whose visas have expired to leave before August 17, 2020 or they would be thrown out of the country.
Speaking to journalists at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA), Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri said following the announcement by UAE for all illegal immigrants in Dubai to leave the country before August 17th, the Nigerian Mission in UAE was working with the Dubai administration to provide three free flights to bring back stranded Nigerians back in the next couple of days.
“If you are in Dubai without your papers, you better come back home because all illegal occupants in that country are being sent back. Please come back home as free flights will be made available,” Dabiri said.
She expressed disappointed that despite the offer to bring the Nigerians free from UAE, some of the Nigerians have refused to take advantage of government’s offer.
Dabiri also disclosed that Saudi Arabia had notified the federal government that it wants to repatriate 200 Nigerian prisoners because they want to decongest their prisons.
She disclosed that the mission is working with Saudi Arabia to make that happen.
She clarified that the mission was not demanding money to repatriate Nigerians from Saudi Arabia, adding that people should be weary of the videos been circulated.
“President Buhari has ordered that Nigerians stranded in different countries be brought back home and they are being brought back home. Evacuations would come to an end by the end of this month and afterwards, anybody coming back will pay for his or her ticket,” she said.
Dabiri also announced the arrival of 94 Nigerian girls trafficked to Lebanon, some of which were part of those seen in a viral video sleeping somewhere in Lebanon.
“Before the ladies came, the embassy kept them in a safe place and another set will be coming in in the next few days and another set will be coming to Abuja next week.
“Big gratitude goes to Lebanese ambassador to Nigeria working with our Nigerian ambassador in Lebanon, the Nigerian Mission in Lebanon and a lot of Non Governmental Organizations who got together to make this happen.
“I want to thank the Governor of Oyo, Osun and Lagos that made efforts to receive their citizens and take care of them. Some of these returnees will be involved in the 774,000 jobs that this administration will be providing,” she said.
