The Nigerian Government has evacuated 27 of its citizens from Lebanon.
The evacuees, all female, arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday.
Ferdinand Nwonye, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who represented the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, said the evacuation was in fulfillment of the federal government’s promise to ensure no Nigerian is left stranded in Lebanon.
There have been pleas from Nigerians stranded in Lebanon for assistance to enable them return home.
Nwonye said the Nigerian government was aware of the unfortunate situation they experienced in Lebanon, hence the collaboration to ensure their safe return to the country.
Addressing the girls on Sunday, Nwonye made it clear that he was there on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also disclosed that the return was facilitated by a collaboration between, the Nigerian Ministry of Aviation, the Nigerian Embassy in Beirut, the Lebanese Embassy in Nigeria and the Lebanese community in Nigeria.
He went on to advise the returnees to ensure they follow the protocols they have been advised on in order to recover their passports.
“You are welcome back home and I wish you journey mercies to your various destinations,” he added.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman while speaking with journalists disclosed that the stranded Nigerians were evacuated in line with the federal government’s COVID-19 evacuation guidelines.
Although all passengers tested COVID-19 negative before embarking on the journey, they will only be allowed to go home after 14 days of self-isolation.
He explained that their passports were retrieved from them upon arrival. Those passports will only be returned with proof of COVID-19 tests which they are expected to undergo when their 14-day self-isolation window closes.