The first batch of 253 Nigerians evacuated from the United Kingdom (UK), as part of Federal Government’s Evacuation Process due to the coronavirus pandemic, has arrived Abuja this evening.
It will be recalled that the first batch of returnees under the programme arrived from Dubai on May 6, 2020.
The UK returnees, who had arrived at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos around 3pm had a delay in Lagos due to logistic issues and did not arrive in Abuja until around 9pm.
They are now being processed for onward transportation to the isolation centre where they will be for 14 days as approved by the NCDC and the Ministry of Health.
The Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who was monitoring the whole process, said in a tweet:
“Finally. In Abuja. With 253 stranded Nigerians from the Uk, after hours of delay in Lagos . The delay in Lagos is most regrettable, as reiterated by Hon Minister @GeoffreyOnyeama during today’s briefing.These are unusual times. Welcome home!”
Video: The returnees stranded in Lagos
@NCDCgov @abikedabiri @DigiCommsNG
These are your returnees from UK today. Why are they still on the tarmac 5 hours later?
We can, and must surely do better than this.😏
Please look into this and remedy. pic.twitter.com/7XCBtVEdeD
— Kay Soyemi (Esq.) (@KaySoyemiEsq) May 8, 2020
Video: The arrival in Abuja
https://twitter.com/i/status/1258858230144516101
