TheCable

The ministry of foreign affairs says Nigerians stranded in Russia after the 2018 World Cup will be evacuated on Friday.

Tope Elias-Fatile, the ministry’s spokesperson, said over 230 stranded Nigerians had been cleared to board an Ethiopian Airline flight to Abuja.

He said the development was sequel to President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive that stranded Nigerians in Russia should be evacuated with immediate effect.

“As at the last count, over 230 stranded Nigerians had been cleared to board an Ethiopian Airline flight to Abuja,” he said.

“The aircraft would depart Domodedovo Airport in Moscow with the stranded Nigerians at 08.30 hours Friday, July, 20th and arrive Abuja at 16.00 hours same day.”

He said the fans were stranded after the World Cup due to lack of funds for their upkeep as well as allegation that some airline travel agents cancelled return tickets of their customers without their knowledge.

“Consequently, the Mission submitted a formal complaint to host authorities against the airlines that brought the stranded Nigerians to the Russian Federation,” he said.

“The Mission also made arrangements for the feeding and accommodation of the stranded Nigerians in hostels around Moscow.”.