COVID-19: FG Discloses When 700 Nigerians Stranded In US Will Be Evacuated

The Nigeria government has said Evacuation of Nigerians marooned in the United States due to the COVID-19 pandemic will commence on May 10.

The Consulate of Nigeria in New York announced this on Sunday.

According to the Consul-General, Mr Benaoyagha Okoyen, 700 Nigerians have expressed their willingness to return home.

He added that the interested persons have registered with the missions in the US for the evacuation, which would be done in batches.

Also read: OBIANO’s 13 DOCTORS: The Salvage Of Battered Minds From The Brink — By Ifeanyichukwu Afuba

The PUNCH reports that over 2,000 Nigerians in China, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and others had also indicated interests in returning home on account of the coronavirus pandemic.

The consulate disclosed that the first batch of 270 returnees would be transported to Abuja through an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 509.

The plane which is expected to depart the Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey at 9:15p.m. will fly directly to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The Federal Government had earlier said the returning citizens would pay for their flight and also be put in compulsory quarantine for 14 days on arrival in Nigeria.

The statement explained “The projected cost for the one-way economy ticket is between 1,300 dollars (N488,800) and 1,700 dollars (N639,200) per adult.

“Please note that over 700 Nigerian nationals have registered with our missions in the USA to be evacuated.

Also read: [BREAKING] : COVID-19: FG To Evacuate Nigerians Abroad

“However, only 270 passengers shall be accommodated in this batch of evacuation.”

The mission further said the applicants would be given preference according to their immigration status.

“This includes the need to consider those stranded with proof of short-stay visas, the elderly, families with children and returning students,” it noted.