The first set of Nigerians fleeing Ukraine arrived at the private jet terminal of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja Friday morning aboard a Max Air flight. The flight VM602 from Bucharest, Warsaw airport arrived in Abuja, Nigeria.
Numbering about 450, the evacuees arrived by 7:10 am. They are mostly students who fled Ukraine following Russia’s invasion of the Eastern European country.
Confirming their arrival, Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) tweeted:
Dabiri added that the next flight from Hungary is being awaited. The Nigerian Ambassador to Hungary, Modupe Irele has reassured departing Nigerians of a smooth journey back home.
They were received by government officials and are expected to undergo documentation after which they will head home and self-isolate in line with the COVID-19 protocols.
The Federal Government said they will be given some money to enable them to get to their various destinations.
Friday’s flight, which was billed to arrive a day earlier, was delayed as the Federal Government cited a logistic hitch in the check-in process of the evacuees.
Chairman NIDO Europe, Bashir Obasekola has expressed satisfaction over the commendable feat of NIDO Stakeholders on the field coordinating assistance and volunteering through its chapters in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania to return Nigerians fleeing Ukraine to safety.