Over 300 Nigerians were on Sunday evacuated from the U.K. aboard an Air Europa Flight, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission said.
The Commission confirmed via Twitter that 327 Nigerians had departed the Gatwick Airport in London, and were expected to arrive in Abuja later on Sunday.
In line with the laid out COVID-19 protocols, the returnees will proceed on a two-week isolation period.
“They are expected to arrive at Nnamdi Azikiwe Int’l Airport Abuja later today and proceed on a 14-day self-isolation as mandated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19,” the Commission said.
EVACUATION UPDATE:
327 returnees from the UK departed Gatwick Airport, London to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja today, August 9, 2020 at 11.15 am aboard @flyairpeace Flight No. P47854 operated by Air Europa Flight No AEA855.
1/2 pic.twitter.com/a2OUX0r8RK— Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (@nidcom_gov) August 9, 2020
The latest arrivals come a day after another batch of 311 Nigerians were evacuated from the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.
Many Nigerians have been stranded abroad due to the travel interruption occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many countries moved swiftly to shut down their borders in efforts to curb the importation of COVID-19 infections, thereby non-essential disrupting air travel.
“We’re working round-the-clock with the Federal Government to provide every stranded Nigerian overseas an affordable air transportation back home,” said Air Peace.
