FG RESCUES STRANDED NIGERIANS, BEGINS REPATRIATION FROM CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

By Ohworisi Elohor.

The Federal Government has commenced the repatriation process of Nigerian nationals stranded in the Central African Republic (CAR), following the recovery of their travel documents.

In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed that officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui had successfully established contact with the affected individuals.

According to the ministry, the Nigerian mission in CAR has been in active discussions with local authorities to ensure the safety and swift return of the stranded citizens. It was revealed that the individuals’ passports had been retrieved and arrangements were underway to evacuate them from Bambari to the capital city, Bangui.

“A vehicle was dispatched to Bambari to transport the Nigerians, and their arrival in Bangui is expected by Saturday, July 26, under military escort,” the statement noted.

The move came after a viral video surfaced online, showing distressed Nigerian workers who claimed they had been abandoned by their employers in Bambari; a town located nearly 850 kilometres from the capital.

The Ministry further disclosed that talks were ongoing with the company responsible for their employment to provide temporary accommodation and cater for their welfare pending their return to Nigeria.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to the protection of its citizens abroad, the Ministry urged Nigerians seeking job opportunities overseas to carry out thorough verification of employers and secure proper documentation before leaving the country.