According to the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), four hundred (400) Nigerians have been deported from the United Arab Emirate (UAE) and have landed in Nigeria.
BriefNaija.com leant that the deportees were received at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja by officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, NAPTIP, NEMA and other relevant agencies.
“Four hundred (400) Nigerians including ninety (90) females and 310 males were deported from UAE and received at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport,” the news outlet posted on X on Wednesday.
In a previous report the PUNCH noted that in July 2024 the Federal Government had also repatriated 190 Nigerians from UAE.
Nigeria-UAE Tensions
Diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and UAE have been ongoing, UAE had imposed visa ban on Nigerians almost 2 years ago due to several unresolved issues.
One of the issues was Emirates Airline suspending flights to Nigeria after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was unable to remit an estimated $85 million to UAE.
After several negotiations with UAE authorities, the Nigerian government in June told its citizens that the visa ban would be lifted soon. Nigeria also said it had settled 98% of the $850 million it owed and that progress had been made in the dispute.
Despite the recent deportations both countries have made progress. In July 2024 UAE government lifted visa restriction on Nigerian nationals immediately.
Follow Us
