Following the trending online video of stranded Nigerian nationals in the Central African Republic, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has begun the process of evacuating its citizens.
The Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, made this development known in a statement on Friday 25th July, 2025.
According to him, the Ministry has contacted the affected Nigerians through its Mission in the Central African Republic, and the Embassy of Nigeria in Bangui is actively engaging with relevant authorities to ensure their safety, protection, and swift repatriation.
Ebienfa said the passports of the stranded Nigerians have been retrieved successfully, and a vehicle has been sent to Bambari to evacuate them to Bangui, adding that they are likely to arrive in the capital city with a military escort on Saturday, July 26, 2025.
The statement read in part, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that 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.
“Their passports have been retrieved successfully, and a vehicle has been sent to Bambari to evacuate the stranded Nigerians to Bangui. They are likely to arrive in the capital city with a military escort on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Discussions are also ongoing with the company for their accommodation and welfare while in Bangui and their subsequent repatriation to Nigeria”.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of its citizens everywhere in the world.
It however, advised Nigerians travelling abroad for work to verify the credibility of their employers and ensure proper documentation before departure.
The Ministry further urged Nigerians to register their presence and that of their employers with the Embassy of Nigeria whenever they are in any foreign country to avert unpleasant experiences in the event of consular issues.