FG Moves to Repatriate Stranded Nigerians from Central African Republic 

FG Moves to Repatriate Stranded Nigerians from Central African Republic 

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja 

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has commenced moves to evacuate several Nigerian workers stranded in the Central African Republic (CAR) after a viral video surfaced showing them abandoned in the remote Bambari region.

In a statement issued on Friday, the spokesperson of the Ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the government is “deeply concerned about the welfare of Nigerian workers currently stranded in the Central African Republic.”

The video, which has been circulating on various social media platforms, showed a group of Nigerian nationals reportedly deserted by their employers and facilitators in Bambari, a town located about 850 kilometers from the CAR capital, Bangui.

According to Ebienfa, “The affected Nigerians have been contacted by the hardworking officials of our Mission in the Central African Republic, and the Embassy of Nigeria in Bangui is actively engaging with relevant authorities to ensure the safety, protection, and swift repatriation of the affected Nigerian nationals.”

He revealed that the stranded workers’ passports have been successfully retrieved and that a vehicle has been dispatched to Bambari to bring them to Bangui under military escort.

“They are likely to arrive in the capital city with a military escort on Saturday, July 26, 2025,” he added.

The statement also noted that discussions are ongoing with the company involved to secure temporary accommodation and welfare support for the stranded nationals pending their repatriation to Nigeria.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to the safety of its citizens abroad, the Ministry stated: “The Federal Government reiterates its commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of its citizens everywhere in the world.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry advised Nigerians seeking employment abroad to conduct due diligence before departure.

“Nigerians travelling abroad for work are advised to verify the credibility of their employers and ensure proper documentation before departure,” Ebienfa urged.

He further advised Nigerians to register with Nigerian embassies in their host countries to ease intervention efforts in case of emergencies.