The Federal Government has begun efforts to rescue and repatriate a group of Nigerian workers stranded in the Central African Republic (CAR), following the circulation of a distressing video showing the individuals abandoned in the remote Bambari region, approximately 850 kilometers from the country’s capital, Bangui. In a statement released Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja confirmed that officials from the Nigerian Mission in CAR have successfully established contact with the affected nationals.

According to ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui is actively collaborating with local authorities to guarantee the safety, welfare, and quick evacuation of the stranded workers. “Their passports have been retrieved successfully, and a vehicle has been sent to Bambari to evacuate the stranded Nigerians to Bangui,” the statement noted. The evacuees are expected to arrive in the capital on Saturday, July 26, under military escort, with ongoing discussions to provide temporary accommodation and welfare support before their repatriation to Nigeria.

Reaffirming its commitment to protecting Nigerian citizens abroad, the Federal Government also urged those seeking work overseas to conduct due diligence on potential employers and travel arrangements. The ministry advised Nigerians to register with local embassies upon arrival in any foreign country, emphasizing that such measures are vital in preventing and resolving consular challenges more efficiently.