The Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced the emergency evacuation of a group of Nigerian nationals abandoned by their employers in the remote Bambari region of the Central African Republic (CAR), located approximately 850 kilometres from Bangui, the country’s capital.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the development in a statement released on Friday in Abuja, and signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa. According to the Ministry, the stranded Nigerians were recently contacted by officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui, who have been working closely with CAR authorities to secure their safety and facilitate their return home.
“The affected Nigerians have been contacted by our dedicated embassy staff in Bangui. We are actively engaging with relevant local authorities to guarantee their protection and speedy repatriation,” Ebienfa said.
The Ministry disclosed that the passports of the affected individuals have already been recovered, and that a military-escorted vehicle has been dispatched to transport them from Bambari to Bangui, with their arrival expected on Saturday, 26 July.
The repatriation efforts were triggered by the circulation of a disturbing video on social media, which showed the harsh conditions in which the Nigerian workers were living. The victims were reportedly lured into employment under questionable terms and subsequently abandoned by their sponsors in the conflict-prone region.
In the interim, the Nigerian Embassy has begun talks with the employers to provide temporary shelter and basic welfare support to the victims pending their evacuation.
Ebienfa reiterated the Ministry’s firm commitment to protecting Nigerians in distress abroad, particularly in cases involving exploitation, trafficking, or emergency situations.
“We strongly urge all Nigerians seeking jobs overseas to carry out proper background checks on their recruiters, ensure they travel with verified documentation, and register with the nearest Nigerian Embassy on arrival. This enables faster support in times of need,” he added.
The Ministry assured the public that it is monitoring the situation closely and that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safe and prompt return of the affected Nigerians.
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