TheNewsGuru

Tag: Evacuation

  • Russia/Ukraine war: I’ll continue to defend Nigerian citizens worldwide – Buhari

    Russia/Ukraine war: I’ll continue to defend Nigerian citizens worldwide – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration will continue to defend the interest of Nigerians wherever they may be as the nation begins the evacuation of citizens stranded following Russia/Ukraine war.

    Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s spokesman said in a statement on Friday that the president made this assertion on Thursday in Nairobi, Kenya at a Townhall Meeting with a group of Nigerians resident in the country.

    The president said: “On our part as a Government, we shall continue to defend the interests of all Nigerians wherever they may be.

    ”We have demonstrated this over time, as we have had cause to evacuate our citizens in harm’s way abroad.

    ”We did it in Libya, South Africa and we have just commenced doing the same in Ukraine, where thousands of our citizens, especially students, are trapped by the on-going war between Russia and Ukraine.”

    President Buhari, who was represented at the event by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyeama, commended Nigerians in Kenya for the unity among them, and peace with their host communities, urging them to respect the laws and be good ambassadors of Nigeria.

    He reiterated that it was the determination of the current administration to forge a partnership with the ‘Ambassadors-at large’ towards building the country together that led to the establishment of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).

    He expressed delight that the Commission had been engaging the diaspora and had also come up with laudable programmes that would appeal to them.

    The president remarked that, as part of his diaspora agenda, “we expect your willingness to ‘give back’ to Nigeria, some of your resources, talents, skills and global exposure in the development of our great country, Nigeria.”

    He, therefore, encouraged the Ambassadors to key into the programmes of NiDCOM especially the ”Nigerian Diaspora Investment Trust Fund whose mandate is holistic for all Nigerians abroad.”

    He added that the platform would assist them to expeditiously contribute to the development of their fatherland.

    According to the president, his administration is forging ahead with the provision of critical infrastructure for the collective prosperity of all despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and activities of terrorists.

    The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, appreciated the Ambassadors for honouring the invitation.

    She urged them to register with the Commission in order to have an up- to-date database of them for easy interface, adding that working with them, ”the Nigerian government will build the country of our dreams.”

    The president of Nigerians in Diaspora (Kenya), Dr Nicholas Ozor, on behalf of the diasporans expressed his appreciation to the President for always meeting with them when he is in the country as this boosts their morale.

    He appreciated efforts of the Nigerian High Commission officials for their support and care.

    Ozor, however, requested the president to intervene in some of the challenges confronting them, such as; the stoppage of visa on arrival for Nigerians; delay in getting student permits; obstacles to ease of doing business, and undue negative profiling of Nigerians.

    Also present at the occasion were the Minister of State for the Environment, Sharon Ikeazor, National Security Adviser, rtd. Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno , and Director -General, National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufai.

  • Ukraine: Only people registered with Nigerian embassies will be evacuated – FG

    Ukraine: Only people registered with Nigerian embassies will be evacuated – FG

    The federal government of Nigeria has released guidelines for the evacuation of Nigerians from Ukraine and stipulated that only people registered with the Nigerian embassies will be evacuated.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama made this known, stressing that only persons documented with the Nigerian embassies will be eligible for evacuation.

    Onyeama disclosed this on Wednesday in a statement signed by the Spokesperson of the ministry, Mrs Francisca Omayuli and made available to newsmen.

    Onyeama said that those without passports would be issued Emergency Travel Certificates to enable them travel back home.

    The minister said that the affected evacuees would return home via Romania, Poland and Hungary. He, however, said that those yet to register for the exercise needed to comply.

    The statement read in part: “The Federal Government of Nigeria wishes to inform that arrangements are being concluded for the evacuation of the first batch of Nigerian nationals willing to return home.

    “Intending evacuees should note that only persons documented with the Nigerian Embassies will be eligible for evacuation.”

    Onyeama gave the following contacts for documentation:

    Nigerian Embassy, Bucharest, Romania: +40786091964; +2348032882810(WhatsApp); email: headofmission@nigeriaembromania.gov.ng or info@nigeriaembromania.gov.ng

    Nigerian Embassy, Warsaw, Poland, +48889410270; +48579201775; email: Nigeria.warsaw@foreignaffairs.gov.ng

    Nigerian Embassy, Budapest, Hungary: +36308202903; +36308639203; email: embassy@nigerianembassy.hu or secretary@nigerianembassy.by.

  • Nigeria to help evacuate Africans in Ukraine -Bolaji Akinyemi

    Nigeria to help evacuate Africans in Ukraine -Bolaji Akinyemi

    The federal government of Nigeria is right about now concluding plans to evacuate over 2000 persons from Nigeria and other west African countries who are studying and living in crisis ridden European country of Ukraine.

    The Director, Consular and Legal Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bolaji Akinremi, has hinted during a chat with pressmen.

    Akinremi said the Nigerian government had the capacity to evacuate all 8,000 Nigerians and another 2,000 Africans with primary focus on citizens of West Africa.

    He added that once these Africans arrive in Nigeria, they will have to make their way to their respective countries. All these, he said, would be done free of charge.

    “We are making provisions to evacuate citizens of Ghana, Togo and mainly West African countries. It is open to all African countries. He said

    “We have provisions for about 2,000 of them as long as they can find their way from here.”

    Akinremi added that the evacuation would begin on Thursday and not Wednesday as expected.

    He said the planes that would evacuate those stranded would arrive in the countries bordering Ukraine in the early hours of Thursday.

    When asked why the evacuation will no longer happen on Wednesday, he said, “We cannot do it without authorisation of the host country. So, it will be Wednesday night into Thursday.”

    Speaking on NTA’s Good Morning Nigeria programme, Akinremi said contrary to some reports, the Nigerian government had been assisting some Nigerians to flee Ukraine even before the war began.

    He said at least 200 Nigerians had returned home, many of whom were given free tickets by the Nigerian government.

    He added, “The aspect we are not focusing on is those that have already arrived in Nigeria. There are a large number of people that have returned on their own. Over 200 people have arrived in the last one week and they were assisted by the government. Most of them had their tickets but we procured tickets for many of them.

    “Also at the state level, governors are also making arrangements along with the private sector.”

    He added that the government would assist them with COVID-19 protocols and other requirements.

    The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Gabriel Aduda, said Nigeria would give emergency travel certificates to those who have no papers, adding that the government was in touch with all ambassadors in the affected countries, including Poland and Hungary.

  • FG assures Nigerians of safe evacuation from Ukraine

    FG assures Nigerians of safe evacuation from Ukraine

    The Federal Government on Friday assured Nigerians living in Ukraine of their safe evacuation amidst the Russia multiple attacks of Ukraine.

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama gave the assurance while speaking to newsmen in Abuja.

    Onyeama said the Federal Government was making arrangements for a special flight operation to evacuate her citizens from Ukraine in view of the escalating tension between that country and Russia.

    He added that the Nigerian Embassy in Kiev had been contacted and told to make arrangements for those wishing to return home from other areas including Donestk and Luhensk.

    The minister assured Nigerians that the ministry was following the event since it began and assured of the Federal Government’s readiness to speedily ensure the safe evacuation of Nigerians, particularly, students in Ukraine.

    Russian military has started attacking military installations in multiple fronts in spite of Russian President Vladimir Putin assurance not to attack Ukrainian citizens.

    While Kiev is under bombardment, her citizens are seeking shelter in metro underground stations.

    Tens of thousands of people cross the border out of Ukraine, while the European Union expressed readiness to assist with the sum of 1.7 billion euros in economic aid to Ukraine.

    Turkish government has also expressed readiness to send humanitarian aid to its Ukrainain counterpart.

  • Plateau crisis: Okowa orders evacuation of Delta students from Jos

    Plateau crisis: Okowa orders evacuation of Delta students from Jos

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has ordered the immediate evacuation of students of Delta origin from crisis troubled Jos, the Plateau state capital, following renewed crisis and security concerns in the North Central state.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Student’s Affairs, Comrade Jerry Ehiwario, said that the evacuation exercise commenced on Thursday, August 26.

    He commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his prompt approval for the exercise, adding that the lives of Delta students was very dear to the state.

    Ehiwaro also commended the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Patrick Ukah for his proactiveness and prompt response.

    He stated further that three buses with police escort has been dispatched to move Delta students from the troubled zone.

    “When we heard about the incident in Jos, i wrote to the governor, informing him on the need to evacuate students of Delta origin from the crisis zone.

    “The governor graciously approved the evacuation which commenced today Thursday, August 26.

    “With this approval, Governor Okowa has once again demonstrated his love for Delta students by ensuring that their safety is topmost priority to the state government.

    “On behalf of my colleagues and NADESTU, we thank our dear governor and father figure, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa for his intervention in saving the lives of our brothers and sisters from the crisis zone,” Ehiwario added.

  • Baby born during Afghan evacuation named after U.S. aircraft

    Baby born during Afghan evacuation named after U.S. aircraft

    A baby born on board a U.S. military flight during the evacuation mission from Afghanistan has been named after the plane.

    The girl was born at the U.S. Ramstein Air Base in Germany and was named Reach after the plane’s call sign, commander of the U.S. forces in Europe, Tod Wolters, said at a Pentagon briefing Wednesday.

    The Boeing C-17 planes used by the U.S. air force often use the call sign “Reach” followed by a combination of numbers.

    The U.S. Air Mobility Command had tweeted at the weekend that a woman went into labour during the flight from Qatar to Germany and had experienced complications.

    Her condition improved after the plane descended in altitude to increase air pressure, which helped to save the mother’s life.

    Soldiers helped to deliver the child in the aircraft’s cargo bay upon landing, the command said.

    The military has since spoken with the parents, Wolters said.

    “As you can well imagine, being an Air Force fighter pilot, it’s my dream to watch that young child called Reach grow up and be a U.S. citizen and fly United States Air Force fighters in our Air Force,” Wolters joked.

    The German air base was just a transit point for the evacuees from Afghanistan.

    At the moment they were generally being flown from there to Dulles International Airport, near Washington DC, and then distributed to U.S. military bases.

    Ramstein, near the western German city of Kaiserslautern, was the largest U.S. air base outside the country.

    Wolters said it had capacity for up to 12,000, and that together with other German sites and one base each in Italy and Spain, there was capacity for 25,000 evacuees.

  • Deadly attack on Kabul airport as Taliban reject extended evacuation

    Deadly attack on Kabul airport as Taliban reject extended evacuation

    An Afghan security officer was killed when members of the Afghan security forces and soldiers from Germany and the U.S. clashed with attackers at the north gate of Kabul airport.

    Three Afghan personnel were injured in the incident at 6:43 am (0213 GMT) on Monday, the German army tweeted.

    They were treated by Norwegian paramedics at the airport compound.

    The north entrance has two sets of gates: The outer ones are guarded by soldiers from the Afghan military, the inner ones by U.S. troops.

    It is not known who carried out the attack.

    On Sunday, the U.S. Government had expressed concern about a potential attack by the terrorist militia Islamic State at the airport or in the vicinity.

    The airport has seen tumultuous scenes in recent days as Western states evacuate their citizens and local Afghan staff in the wake of the Taliban militants taking over the country.

    Seven Afghan civilians had died amid the chaos around the airport, according to the British Ministry of Defence.

    The NGO Emergency, which operates a hospital in Kabul, said on Monday they had received 14 people with severe injuries since Saturday morning.

    Six people brought from the airport had bullet wounds, the group tweeted, adding that none was in life-threatening condition.

    Members of the opposition, journalists, human rights activists and local staff who worked for Western countries have feared acts of revenge from Afghanistan’s returned hard-line rulers.

    The international evacuations had gathered pace, with discussions under way involving the United States and its allies about keeping U.S. forces on the ground longer to enable more people to be flown out.

    The British state minister for the armed forces, James Heappey, said on Monday that Prime Minister Boris Johnson would request an extension to the U.S. troops’ mandate at emergency G7 talks on Tuesday.

    “I think everybody has to be clear that this is not just a discussion that happens between G7 leaders tomorrow.

    ‘’It is a discussion which happens with the Taliban, ’’Johnson said in his remarks to broadcaster Sky.

    A Taliban spokesman said however that the group
    would not agree to an extension of the evacuation mission.

    Speaking to British news channel Sky News on Monday, spokesman Suhail Shaheen said: “If the U.S. or UK were to seek additional time to continue evacuations the answer is no. Or there will be consequences.

    “It’s a red line U.S President Joe Biden announced that by Aug. 31, they will withdraw all their military forces. So, if they extend it that means they are extending occupation’’.

    Since taking power in the country on Aug.15, the Taliban has been slow to take over the day-to-day running of the country.

    The group has called on former government employees to continue doing their jobs.

    Negotiations with other political groups are under way to form a government.

    The Taliban was also focusing effort on taking control of the province of Panjshir, the only hold-out against the Islamists’ rule.

    Taliban fighters were gathering around the province even as the Taliban said they were seeking political solution.

  • 27 stranded Nigerian girls evacuated from Lebanon arrive Abuja

    27 stranded Nigerian girls evacuated from Lebanon arrive Abuja

    Another batch of 27 stranded Nigerian girls evacuated from Lebanon by the Federal Government and the Lebanese government, as well as its community in Nigeria arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday.

    Receiving them, Mr Ferdinand Nwonye, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who represented the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, said the evacuation was in fulfillment of the Nigerian government’s promise to ensure no Nigerian is left stranded in Lebanon.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there have been several pleas from Nigerians stranded in Lebanon appealing for assistance to enable them to return home.

    Nwonye said the Nigerian government was aware of the unfortunate situation they experienced in Lebanon, hence the collaboration to ensure their safe return to the country.

    “I am here on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs who facilitated this return, together with the Ministry of Aviation, Embassy of Nigeria in Beirut, the Lebanese Embassy in Nigeria and the Lebanese community in Nigeria.

    “These are the individuals and institutions that made it possible for you to be here today.

    “It is unfortunate the situation you passed through; which is why the Ministries concerned made sure you are here today and we are telling you that you are now home today and nothing will happen to you.

    “Make sure you follow the protocols they advised you on; you know what to do to recover your passports again.

    “You are welcome back home and I wish you journey mercies to your various destinations,’’ Nwonye said.

    The Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman told newsmen that the stranded Nigerians were evacuated in line with the Federal Government’s guidelines on COVID-19 evacuations.

    He said the girls tested negative for COVID-19 before embarking on the journey and would be allowed to go home after 14 days self-isolation, in line with the Federal Government’s guidelines for COVID-19 evacuations.

    He explained that their passports were retrieved from them upon arrival and they are expected to collect them back with proof of COVID-19 tests which they are expected to take again once they complete their 14-day self-isolation.

    The spokesperson said the girls were tested in Beirut before embarking on the journey and they were also profiled on arrival.

    Also speaking, Mr Philip Webbe, a representative of the Silver Wings Group in Nigeria, said the Lebanese community and its Embassy in Nigeria had facilitated the return of the girls with the support of the Nigerian government.

    Webbe said it was in fulfillment of their word that they would not leave any Nigerian girl stranded in Lebanon.

    “We are the company, silver wings that brought the Chartered flight to Nigeria.

    We are evacuating stranded Nigerian girls that are in Lebanon. These girls had nobody to assist them to bring them back to Nigeria.

    “The Lebanese Community is assisting them with the help of the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Aviation, the Lebanese Ambassador to Nigeria and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Lebanon, and they have put great efforts to bring them back.

    “We had 27 girls that came on this flight and just like we promised last time, we will not leave any stranded Nigerian girl in Lebanon.

    “On this flight, Mr Fassai Khalid supported 20 girls to come and there were another seven girls facilitated by the Lebanese community.

    “They all came today and they are finishing the process. Some came yesterday, some will come tomorrow, we won’t leave anyone of them behind.

    One of the returnees who spoke on condition of anonymity appreciated the Nigerian and Lebanese governments for ensuring their safe return back home.

    She said that if not for the assistance, they would have been left stranded in Lebanon as they could not afford to buy tickets to return home.

    The returnee said they encountered many challenges in Lebanon with many of them being owed seven to eight months salaries by their employers.

  • 30 Nigerian girls stranded in Lebanon rescued, awaiting evacuation with others – FG

    30 Nigerian girls stranded in Lebanon rescued, awaiting evacuation with others – FG

    Thirty Nigerians, who were trafficked and left stranded in Lebanon have been rescued, and are among a total of 150 victims awaiting evacuation to Nigeria.
    The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) made this known in a statement by Gabriel Odu of its Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit on
    Tuesday.
    The commission said the rescue came after a video footage of the stranded Nigerians making an appeal to the Federal Government and well-meaning Nigerians to come to their aid viral on the Internet.
    According to it, the appeal for help by the stranded Nigerians led to their rescue by officials of the country’s mission in Lebanon.
    The stranded Nigerians have already been relocated to a more conducive apartment.
    “They will be part of 150 others to be evacuated to Nigeria after they were trafficked and left stranded in Lebanon.
    “The Lebanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Houssam Diab disclosed the evacuation plans when the Management of NIDCOM, led by the Secretary, Dr Sule Bassi, visited that country’s mission in Abuja,” Odu said in the statement.
    He quoted Diab as saying that the 150 girls would be returned home in batches with the first group of 110 people leaving Beirut for Lagos on Aug. 12.
    The second batch sws expected to arrive Abuja on Aug. 16.
    “The diplomat commended efforts of the Lebanese Community and the Oyo State Government who is sponsoring the return of 55 of the girls,” he said.
    Responding on behalf of the NIDCOM Chairman/CEO, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Secretary of the commission, who acknowledged the excellent ties between Nigeria and Lebanon, urged both countries to sustain the cordial relationship.
    Bassi also lauded the Nigerian Ambassador to Lebanon, Amb. Goni Madu Zanna Bura for his dedication and commitment.
    He also commended the staff of the Nigerian mission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Oyo and Ogun state governments and other strategic partners for their efforts.
    “As part of the Nigerian Embassy’s Consular responsibility, the ladies in the said video that went viral and many other distressed Nigerian domestic workers were located and relocated to a safer place.
    “Suffice it to say that 150 of these stranded victims are expected to be evacuated next week and handed over to NAPTIP, the agency responsible for (dealing with human) trafficking.
    “A break down of the evacuees shows that Oyo State had 41, Ogun 21, Lagos 12, Ondo 18, Osun 26, and Imo 3.
    Others are Kwara– 9, Enugu — 1, Ekiti — 6, Kogi — 1, Edo — 1, Delta — 3, Ebonyi — 1, Benue — 1, Abia — 1, Akwa Ibom — 1, and Anambra — 1,” he said.
  • TNG Exclusive: Double woes for Nigerians slaving away in Dubai amid 3-week ultimatum to return home

    TNG Exclusive: Double woes for Nigerians slaving away in Dubai amid 3-week ultimatum to return home

    In search of greener pastures, Nigerians in significant numbers have been landing in Dubai, one of the most populous cities in the United Arab Emirates over a decade only to find dashed hopes forcing them into a new reality of economic hardship.

    Most of these victims are now either undocumented or have overstayed their Visa, they invariably have had only the most basic education and are left with poor employment opportunities and as such have no economic power to sponsor their trips back home.

    Apart from the seeming hardship Covid-19 brought to these set of Nigerians abroad, their situation took another terrible turn after the United Arab Emirates on July 21, 2020, issued Nigerians whose visas have expired to leave the country before August 17, 2020, or face the wrath of the law.

    Speaking with TheNewsGuru(TNG), some of the affected Nigerians disclosed that they couldn’t afford the evacuation fee.

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    Hammed Sherifdeen who works at a Filipino restaurant as a waiter, said his salary is AED 1300 (About N161,000) but he lost the job.

    He furthered, “I only get two months salary out of four months I used to work for them, and I realized they my Visa was not done last year December, the shop went bankrupt they closed the place since last year December, and since then I have been squatting around, sleeping at bus station sometimes and there’s no help from anybody. I can’t even feed well I just need help to go back to my country”

    Another contract staff who identifies himself simply as James said, “Things are now very difficult for us here, we hardly get our salaries paid on time, for me, I can’t afford the evacuation fee, I can only appeal to the Nigerian government to come to our aid.

    “For four months now that Covid-19 pressure started, I have not received any salary from my employer, myself and several other Nigerians are now living in fear, we have contacted the embassy for evacuation but the amount required is too expensive.”

    TNG gathered that prospective evacuees in the UAE are expected to purchase their one-way tickets back to Nigeria at a cost of $672 for economy class and $1,370 for business class (In AED Economy is 2450AED and Business is 5000 AED).

    Reacting to the ultimatum in a statement, the Nigerian Embassy in the Emirates urged affected citizens to immediately submit their papers for emigration processing.

    The embassy advised concerned nationals to join the evacuation flights arranged from the country before the expiration of the grace period.

    “The Embassy wishes to inform that the government of the United Arab Emirates has granted waivers on fines/penalties on visas that expired before 1st March 2020 to leave the country on or before 17th of August 2020,” the statement reads.

    “Consequently, the Embassy is urging fellow Nigerians living in the UAE to avail themselves of this opportunity to return home with the impending Air Peace evacuation flight scheduled for 1st August 2020, and or subsequent Emirates evacuation flights before the expiration of the grace period,” it adds.

    Some have alleged that the UAE harsh directive is connected to the fraudulent activities perpetrated by a few Nigerians based in Dubai including alleged international internet fraudster Abass Ramon aka Hushpuppi who was arrested by the Dubai Police in June and is being prosecuted in the US.

    Amongst other moves, the UAE authorities recently excluded Nigeria from a list of countries permitted to fly into the Emirates.