FG Reacts To Allegations, Abandoning Stranded Nigerians in UAE

By Tolulope Oke

The Federal government of Nigeria (FG) through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied claims that it abandoned stranded Nigerians in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Following the mass deportation carried out by the UAE authorities, thousands of individuals were shown in a viral video sitting in an open area with their luggage and pleading for the assistance of the Nigerian government.

They claimed, according to reports on social media, that their mission in the United Arab Emirates had taken care of the citizens of other nations who were in the camp with them, but they had been unable to contact the Nigerian Mission because they had not received a response to any of the numerous messages they had sent.

However, Francisca Omayuli, the ministry’s spokeswoman, said in a statement that the FG is gathering information on the stranded Nigerians in order to issue Emergency Travel Certificates to individuals who lack identity.

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“The allegation is completely untrue and misleading as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Mission have been working assiduously with the UAE authorities to assist over 300 Nigerians stranded in the country for various reasons, ranging from overstay, lost passports, and lack of documentation especially in the case of infants, to pending cases with the Emirati Police,” the Federal Government stated.

FG explained that the concerned Nigerians are among other African citizens detained at the Al Aweer Immigration Office’s holding facility while the competent authorities review their cases and the legal proceedings are completed before allowing them to be repatriated.

Since the story’s beginning on August 15, 2022, the Nigerian Mission has been hard at work compiling information about the stranded Nigerians in order to provide Emergency Travel Certificates to those of them without means of identification.

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On the other hand, the UAE authorities will process the immigration documents of those who have overstayed their visas, who make up the majority and must pay fines under the law. There are fines of over $10,000 per person against some of the affected Nigerians. The UAE Government is willing to forgive fines for people who are unable to pay, but only if a 10-year visa ban is also imposed. Those who are being held by the police on other suspected violations must be released, while those without identity, particularly infants, will go through legal processes for correction.

“The various processes outlined above have to be finalised by the relevant Emirati authorities before repatriation of affected Nigerians by the Federal Government.

“The Federal Government wishes to seize this opportunity to appeal to Nigerians in the UAE to remain law-abiding and avoid actions that would inflict untold hardship on them.” The statement added.