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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has explained why it took time to evacuate more than 300 Nigerians stranded in the United Arab Emirates.
The ministry said it is working with the UAE authorities with the Nigerian delegation to assist Nigerians stranded in the country for a variety of reasons, ranging from overstaying, lost passports, lack of documents (especially babies) to pending cases with UAE police case. .
This was revealed in a statement signed by the ministry’s spokeswoman, Francisca Omayuli.
FG explained that the process of evacuating stranded Nigerians for various reasons must be completed by the relevant UAE authorities prior to repatriation.
“The Nigerian federal government has taken note of the news circulating on social media that the Nigerian Mission in the UAE has abandoned some Nigerians stranded in the country, making it difficult for them to return home,” the statement read.
“The allegation is completely untrue and misleading as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian delegation have been working closely with UAE authorities to assist more than 300 Nigerians who are stranded in the country for various reasons, including overstaying, lost passports and Lack of documentation etc. Especially in the case of babies, pending cases by UAE police.
“Affected Nigerians are nationals from other African countries who are being held at the Al Aweer Immigration Office’s detention centre pending their cases being considered by the relevant authorities and legal proceedings being completed before deportation.
“Since the start of the saga on 15th August 2022, the Nigerian delegation has been working hard to check the details of the stranded Nigerians in order to issue emergency travel certificates to those who do not have identification.
“On the other hand, UAE authorities will process immigration documents for overstayers, who are in the majority and are legally required to pay fines. Some of the affected Nigerians have been fined more than $10,000 each. The UAE government is willing to exempt those unable to pay. fines, but not without the corresponding penalties of the UAE’s 10-year ban. Those in police custody for other suspected crimes must be cleared, while those without documents or identification, especially babies, will be rectified through legal procedures.
“The various procedures mentioned above must be completed by the relevant UAE authorities before the federal government can repatriate the affected Nigerians.
“The Federal Government would like to take this opportunity to call on Nigerians in the UAE to remain law-abiding and refrain from actions that would cause them untold hardship.”
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