Following a viral video of some Nigerians stranded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has disclosed that those stranded Nigerians can begin to return to the country from August 29, 2020, when the International flight commences. The viral footage showed some Nigerians in a desert area, saying they were forced to flee to the open grounds outside Dubai. The video accused the UAE of racism adding that they were prevented from departing the country. According to Ferdinand Nwonye, Spokesperson of the ministry, a number of stranded Nigerians have been evacuated and those who remained were those that showed they could return on their own.
"Our mission in UAE has been carrying out evacuation of stranded Nigerians and those who were serious have been brought back.
"For those in the video, they can hang on till August 29 when international air travel will commence and they would be free to come back on their own."
Speaking on the viral video, the Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa explained that most of the Nigerians in the video were irregular migrants who were asked to leave the UAE on March 1.
"179 came back on Saturday free of charge, but some are still bent on hiding and breaking the laws. You shouldn’t stay illegally anywhere."