Nigerians In Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has announced the arrival of 255 Nigerians who were stranded in Saudi Arabia.
Recall that a few months back, 802 Nigerian nationals returning from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were expected in Abuja.
NIDCOM, however, disclosed that a total of 384 out of 802 Nigerians stranded in Saudi Arabia arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The commission said the returnees included 300 males, 83 females, and one infant.
This came after a viral video had emerged on social media showing some Nigerians wrapped in black polythene bags lying on the floor in a packed room.
A male narrator in the video had said that they have been stranded in the West Asian country for more than seven months.
Chairman of the Nigerians In Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, while reacting to the video had said they would be evacuated on the 28th and 29th of January, “pending any unforeseen issues.”
“The evacuation is expected to be carried out in two batches of 400 and 200 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
However recently NIDCOM had said the 255 returnees arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja via Saudi Air Flight SV3405 at about 1 pm on Monday, March 29, 2021.
The Commission said the “returnees, as part of a first batch, will proceed on quarantine at the Federal Capital Territory Hajj camp for 14 days in line with the reversed COVID-19 protocols by the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19
“Other returnees arrival are expected in subsequent days.”