TheCable

Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), says the United States, United Arab Emirates and Egypt may repatriate Nigerians who have completed prison terms in their countries. 

Speaking on Monday during the presidential task force on COVID-19 (PTF) briefing in Abuja, Mustapha said the repatriation is different from the airlift of Nigerians stranded abroad.

The SGF said the usual evacuation flights for stranded Nigerians in foreign countries will come to an end on August 22.

“A number of countries have signified intention to repatriate Nigerians convicted, pardoned and paroled. They include the UAE, Egypt and the United States of America,” Mustapha said.

“Coming in the midst of our national response to COVID-19, all relevant agencies of government are taking multi-sectoral steps to ensure that the process remain within acceptable international protocols and in line with bilateral agreements.

“For the purpose of clarity, this should be distinguished from normal evacuation flights and we wish to state that all evacuation flights will end on 22nd August 2020 after which airports will be given sufficient time to prepare for reopening.

“The world had its highest daily increase of 294,237 confirmed cases yesterday, bringing the total to 22.4million, with a cumulative death of 771,000.

“These statistics are daily reminders that humanity is still endangered by this virus. We are also reminded that the countries that appeared to have overcome the pandemic are actually being forced to re-introduce even stricter containment measures.”