The Federal Government has confirmed that it has made contact with a group of stranded Nigerian nationals in the Central African Republic, CAR, and has initiated steps to secure their safe return to Nigeria.
This development was disclosed in a press statement released by Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Friday in Abuja.
According to the ministry, officials at the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui, the CAR capital, have successfully retrieved the passports of the affected individuals and are working with local authorities to facilitate their evacuation.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that the affected Nigerians have been contacted by the hardworking officials of our Mission in the Central African Republic,” the statement read.
Ebienfa explained that a vehicle has already been dispatched to Bambari, a city located approximately 850 kilometres from Bangui, to pick up the stranded nationals. The evacuees are expected to arrive in the capital on Saturday, July 26, under military escort for their safety.
The intervention follows the circulation of a viral video online, which showed several Nigerian workers stranded in Bambari, reportedly abandoned by the companies or facilitators that brought them to CAR. The video triggered public concern and drew the attention of government authorities.
In response, the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui began active engagements with the Central African authorities to ensure the protection and welfare of its citizens.
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Discussions are also underway with the companies involved to provide temporary accommodation and support for the affected individuals while they remain in Bangui, pending their final repatriation to Nigeria.
Ebienfa reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of Nigerians abroad. He emphasized that such consular interventions are part of the ministry’s broader mission to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind in times of distress overseas.
In the same statement, the ministry issued a strong advisory to Nigerians intending to travel abroad for employment. It urged prospective migrants to verify the legitimacy of their employers and ensure that all documentation is properly processed before embarking on any international journey.
“Nigerians are also advised to register their presence and that of their employees with the Embassy of Nigeria whenever they are in any foreign country, to avert unpleasant experiences in event of consular issues,” Ebienfa stated.
The Nigerian government says it remains in close coordination with its mission in CAR and will provide updates as the situation develops and the return of the affected nationals progresses.
NAN
