The Ministry of foreign affairs has explained why the Federal Government recently refused the evacuation of some Nigerians from India.
In a statement by the Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, on Saturday, she said, those who were not evacuated did not meet the requirements set by the Foreigner Regional Registration Offices.
According to her, these persons either had no record of entry into India or entered with another passport other than the Nigerian passport.
The ministry, however, assured them that a proper arrangement would be made for their evacuation.
Recall, that on Friday, the Federal Government evacuated a total number of 191 Nigerians from India; the number comprised 152 males, 43 females and an infant.
The evacuees, according to information, were Nigerians who had been in the custody of the Indian authorities, awaiting deportation for reasons such as overstay and completion of various prison terms.
The statement read in part, “The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been drawn to a video making rounds on social media, showing some stranded Nigerians at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India. The said Nigerians were purportedly refused evacuation to Nigeria on Friday, 16th December, 2022.
“This information is inaccurate, misleading and not well intended. The Federal Government of Nigeria on Friday, 16th December, 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 number of 191 Nigerians were evacuated from India on the special flight, excluding 5 officials. This number comprised 152 males, 43 females and an infant.
“However, a few other Nigerians couldn’t make the evacuation flight due to their inability to meet the required conditions set by the Foreigner Regional Registration Offices (FRRO) 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 FRRO forms; and inability to file the application form for exit permit.
“The Nigerian High Commission in India has appealed to those who could not make the evacuation list to exercise patience and understanding, while efforts are being made to ensure that all affected Nigerians are accommodated in the next batch of the evacuation exercise.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, therefore, wishes to emphasise the imperative of being knowledgeable about the entry and exit procedures of the country being visited, so as to be well guided to avoid unpleasant consequences.”
