FG Moves to Repatriate Nigerians Stranded in Central African Republic
The Federal Government has commenced efforts to repatriate a group of Nigerians stranded in the Central African Republic following a viral video showing them abandoned in Bambari, a remote town about 850 kilometres from Bangui, the country’s capital.
In a statement released on Friday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was confirmed that officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui had established contact with the stranded individuals and successfully retrieved their confiscated passports. The ministry said a vehicle had been dispatched to Bambari to transport the group to Bangui under military escort, with their arrival expected on Saturday. Spokesperson for the Ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, noted that discussions are ongoing with the employers linked to the workers’ situation to secure temporary accommodation and basic welfare support for them pending their repatriation to Nigeria. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission also confirmed its involvement, stating that it responded immediately after being alerted by the video. The commission revealed that the individuals were trafficked under the guise of employment and then abandoned by their agent. It also identified the recruiter responsible for the incident and praised the Nigerian mission for its swift intervention. The commission urged Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad to verify employment offers and register with Nigerian embassies upon arrival to avoid falling victim to fraud or trafficking. The development comes as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to bring back thousands of Nigerians stranded in various African countries. The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons recently announced plans to repatriate over 15,000 Nigerians from countries including Niger, Cameroon, Chad, and Benin Republic. The government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and welfare of Nigerians at home and abroad, calling on citizens to report any similar cases to appropriate authorities.
