Stranded Nigerians in Russia (Image credit: The Punch)
Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama has claimed that Nigeria spent $1 million to evacuate Nigerians fans who were stranded in Russia after the 2018 World Cup.
Over 150 Nigerians fans were said to have been returned to the country after they were duped by travel agents during the football competition.
Onyeama while speaking in Abuja on Monday, revealed that another batch of 200 Nigerians was airlifted to the country on Sunday alongside 17 Ghanaians.
“A week ago, we learnt that there was another huge number of Nigerians stranded and Russian authorities were going to take very strong measures and yet again, Mr President directed that another plane should be made available to go and bring them back,” the minister said.
“And they were 200 of them that were brought back yesterday (Sunday) at a cost of $1 million to the country.
“It is a clear example that Mr President is determined to safeguard Nigerians and the interest of Nigerians wherever they might be compromised anywhere in the world. He was very quick to do this.”