Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has revealed that the majority of Nigerians to be evacuated from abroad do not live there.
Mrs Dabiri-Erewa revealed this on Tuesday after a Twitter user requested to know why the Federal Government was planning to evacuate Nigerians abroad despite increasing cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Nigeria.
“That is why NCDC gave strict conditions. Test before coming, and on arrival 14 day compulsory isolation,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
“But some say it’s too tough. The interests of 200m Nigerians must be put into consideration . And most are Ngr’s who travelled for one reason or the other. Not living abroad.”
No fewer than 10 persons requesting to return to Nigeria from the United Kingdom tested positive for COVID-19.
They have been quarantined in the UK.
Also, the Federal Government disclaimed a report, alleging it asked Nigerians in the UK to pay N160,000 for coronavirus test as part of conditions for being evacuated.
The government had earlier confirmed that the prospective returnees would bear the cost of the trip and would be quarantined on arrival in Nigeria.
