Eleven Nigerian miners stranded in the Central African Republic (CAR) have been safely repatriated to Nigeria through the intervention of the Federal Government.
The returnees, accompanied by Nigeria’s Ambassador to CAR, Ambassador Babagana Ahmed, arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday, August 14, 2025, aboard an Asky Airlines Boeing 747-200 aircraft, which landed at 4:45 p.m. They were formally received by a Federal Government delegation led by the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, represented by the Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Kenneth Oyong.
From the airport’s international wing, the miners were transported to the Hajj Terminal for formal reception, immigration clearance, and security screening by relevant agencies.
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Government, NEMA’s Director General welcomed the returnees and conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the safety and welfare of Nigerians in distress abroad. She commended the coordinated efforts of the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Nigerian Intelligence Agency in ensuring the successful rescue and repatriation.
Ambassador Ahmed revealed that the miners were abandoned by their employers in a remote part of CAR and sought help from the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui. He thanked President Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and other stakeholders for their swift intervention.
Speaking for the returnees, Mr. Freeborn Igorigo expressed profound gratitude to the Federal Government for the timely rescue and dignified reception.
The reception exercise was carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigerian Customs Service, Nigerian Air Force, and Department of State Services.
