The first batch of stranded Nigerians that cried out in a viral video to be evacuated from Saudi Arabia have now arrived the country. The returnees arrived aboard Saudi Arabia Airlines at about 1 pm at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission announced the return of the 384 Nigerians today. The returnees are part of the 802 stranded in Saudi that the Nigerian government had promised would be evacuated to Nigeria on Thursday and Friday. Announcing the return of the first batch, NIDCOM said out of the 384 returnees, 300 are males while 83 are females with one infant whose gender the Commission declined to reveal.
NIDCOM said on Twitter, “384 Returnees (300 Males, 83 Females and one Infant) of the 802 stranded Nigerians just arrive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja via Saudi Air flight B773 at about 1:10 pm local time today 28th January 2021.”
The returnees are now being screen in line with Nigeria’s covid-19 protocols.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed that the second batch will arrive in the country on Friday and would be received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by the ministry’s officials.
A statement by the ministry said, “They (returnees) will be quarantined at the FCT Hajj camp for a period of 14 days in line with established COVID-19 protocols. Thereafter, the ministry will facilitate their movement to their respective home destinations.”