No fewer than 2000 foreign nationals have been identified for evacuation from Lagos by the governments of United States, Canada, France, United Kingdom, among others, in two weeks.
The exercise, which began about 10 days ago, has led to the evacuation of 1,739 foreigners from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).
The exercise, which began about 10 days ago, has led to the evacuation of 1,739 foreigners from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).
The evacuation was in response to requests by the nationals, who apparently felt insecure staying in Nigeria despite the comparatively low prevalence of the coronavirus spread and attendant deaths.
Yesterday, a Delta Air Lines plane evacuated 200 Americans back to the United States, after Ethiopian Airlines’ aircraft lifted 585 Americans and Canadians from Nigeria a day earlier.
The Regional Manager of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Victoria Shin-Aba, confirmed the rapid evacuation amid restriction of all commercial flights.
Shin-Aba offered a breakdown of the evacuations thus far, showing that Air France airlifted 399 French and European nationals; Lufthansa 238; Middle East Airline (MEA) 140; Ethiopian Airlines 137 Canadians and 375 Americans, Air Peace 87; and Delta 200 Americans.
She said: “So far, the activities had been okay and well-coordinated. Since the closure of the airport, we have had about 10 evacuations with different nationals. We have had from Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, Middle East Airline (MEA) with the Lebanese; Ethiopian Airlines has been on with Americans and Canadians. Then, we have domestic charter too. Also, Jed Air did for Liberia while Air Peace airlifted Israelis. Today, we have Delta Airlines on ground that will take about 200 Americans.
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