A repatriation
flight carrying 376 US citizens has departed Murtala Mohammed International
Airport, Lagos, for Washington Dulles International Airport.
According to the US
consulate in Nigeria, the chartered flight operated by Ethiopian Airlines
departed at 5:25pm Nigerian time.
The consulate said
it is the first in a series of repatriation flights for American citizens out
of Lagos, adding that more flights would depart Lagos within the next few days.
“Priority on
repatriation flights is given to the elderly, individuals with serious health
issues, unaccompanied minors, pregnant women, and physically challenged
citizens,” the consulate said in a statement.
“Before boarding,
local health authorities conducted temperature checks on all of the passengers.
Following the closure of Nigerian airports to all international commercial
flights, many Americans have contacted the U.S. Mission requesting assistance
to return home.”
Gabriel Idigo, one
of the evacuees, reportedly expressed gratitude to the US government for
rendering assistance to citizens “stranded in Nigeria”.
“I have been here
(Nigeria) for a while. I was stuck in the hotel for about two weeks. All my
money had been depleted. I thank the U.S. government for coming to our aid. I
am glad to be going home. From Washington Dulles International Airport, I hope
to fly to Los Angeles where I live,” he reportedly said.
As of April 5, 2020,
the US authorities have coordinated the repatriation of 43,116 Americans from
78 countries.
Claire Pierangelo,
consul general, said the repatriation flights represent a major effort by the
US consulate in Lagos, with “excellent cooperation from the Federal Government
of Nigeria, the Lagos State Government, Nigeria Immigration Service and the
Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria.”
“In times of
emergency, the first priority of the Department of State is the safety of
American citizens overseas. For that reason, throughout the world, we are
working to ensure that Americans who want to return home are able to get home.”
he said.
“We hope to get
about 1, 000 Americans out of Lagos this week alone.”
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