The first plane chartered to evacuate Nigerians fleeing war-torn Ukraine landed in the capital Abuja on Friday. 415 passengers were on board this flight from Bucharest, Romania. At least 5,000 Nigerians were in Ukraine during the Russian invasion.
With our correspondent in Lagos, Liza Fabbian
Tired but relieved young Nigerians arrived in Abuja on Friday, some still dressed in their winter coats when they got off the plane.
The first plane to have landed in the Nigerian capital had taken off the day before from Romania, other flights follow, from Poland, Hungary and Slovakia – all are operated by the national companies Max Air and Air Peace.
An envelope of more than seven million euros has been released by the federal government for this logistically delicate operation. A flight from Poland, for example, had to be delayed.
In a television interview, the Nigerian ambassador in this country advised his fellow citizens present on Polish territory not to leave the hotels where they are staying, to avoid being considered as illegal migrants.
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” We must continue to defend the interests of Nigerians wherever they are said President Muhammadu Buhari. The Head of State, through his spokesperson, mentioned in particular the previous efforts of the government, which in the past repatriated Nigerians who were targets of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, or last November, more of 300 nationals who are victims of human trafficking in Libya.