Why Some Nigerians Haven’t Been Evacuated From India – FG

Why Some Nigerians Haven’t Been Evacuated From India – FG

The Federal Government has explained why some Nigerians have yet to be evacuated from India.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokesperson, Francisca Omayuli, those left behind did not meet the evacuation requirements set by their host country’s Foreigner Regional Registration Offices.

According to Omayuli, the affected individuals had no record of entry into India, and some entered with a passport other than a Nigerian passport.

The Federal Government evacuated 191 Nigerians from India on a special flight on Friday. There were 152 men, 43 women, and an infant among them.

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According to the findings, those evacuated were Nigerians who had been detained by Indian authorities and were awaiting deportation for reasons such as overstaying and completing various prison terms.

The government, on the other hand, assured them that proper arrangements would be made for their evacuation.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been drawn to a video going viral on social media showing some stranded Nigerians at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India,” the statement said in part. The alleged Nigerians were allegedly refused evacuation to Nigeria on Friday, December 16, 2022.

“This information is inaccurate, misleading and not well intended. The Federal Government of Nigeria on Friday, December 16, 2022 provided a chartered flight to evacuate Nigerians who had been in the custody of the Indian authorities, awaiting deportation for reasons such as overstay and completion of various prison terms.

“However, some other persons who had not gone through the required procedure for repatriation showed up at the airport on the day of the flight to request evacuation. Following the intervention of the Nigerian High Commission and officials handling the evacuation exercise, a number of this category of persons who met the conditions for repatriation were cleared and accommodated on the flight.

“Consequently, a total of 191 Nigerians were evacuated from India on the special flight, excluding five officials. This number comprised 152 males, 43 females and an infant.

“However, a few other Nigerians could not make the evacuation flight due to their inability to meet the required conditions set by the Foreigner Regional Registration Offices of the Indian Bureau of Immigration, for reasons such as, no records of entry into India; children with proxy parents; those who entered India with passports other than Nigerian passports, presentation of undocumented forms; and inability to file the application form for exit permit.”

She went on to say that the Nigerian High Commission in India had urged those who did not make the evacuation list to be patient and understanding, and that efforts were being made to ensure that all affected Nigerians were accommodated in the next batch of the evacuation exercise.

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The ministry urged Nigerians to learn as much as they could about the country they were visiting.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, therefore, wishes to emphasise the imperative to be knowledgeable about the entry and exit procedures of the country being visited so as to be well guided to avoid unpleasant consequences,” the statement added.