More than 230 Nigerians that were stranded in Russia after this year’s World Cup were evacuated on Friday, following a directive by President Muhammadu Buhari that the ministry of foreign affairs should effect their trips back home.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Dr Tope Elias-Fatile disclosed that the stranded Nigerians were cleared to board an Ethiopian Airline flight to the federal capital, Abuja, sequel to the fiat from President Buhari on July 16.
Back then, Buhari had directed the ministers of foreign affairs and aviation to evacuate all the Nigerians to Abuja immediately.
The spokesman further disclosed that the ministry and Nigerian embassy in Moscow both worked in collaboration with the Ministry of Aviation to process the evacuation.
Even after ensuring the order was carried out on Friday, Fatile said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to monitor the evacuation process and keep the public informed.
He also noted that over 150 stranded Nigerians were among the fans who travelled to the Russian Federation for the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament that besieged the Embassy of Nigeria in Moscow on July 12th.
The fans according to him, were stranded after the events due to lack of funds for their upkeep as well as allegation that some airline travel agents cancelled return tickets of their customers without their knowledge.
Fatile expatiated: “As of the last count, over 230 stranded Nigerians had been cleared to board an Ethiopian Airline flight to Abuja.
”The aircraft would depart Domodedovo Airport in Moscow with the stranded Nigerians at 08.30 hours Friday, July, 20th and arrive Abuja at 16.00 hours same day.
“Consequently, the Mission submitted a formal complaint to host authorities against the airlines that brought the stranded Nigerians to the Russian Federation.
”The Mission also made arrangements for the feeding and accommodation of the stranded Nigerians in hostels around Moscow.”
