The Federal Government is making
arrangmeents to evacuate Nigerians from
conflict-torn Yemen, Vonnewz
reports.
A source in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
told Vonnewz in Abuja on Friday that
no fewer than 46 Nigerians had already
been identified in Yemen.
The source, who preferred anonymity, said
the Nigerian government had been in
constant touch with the Nigerian Mission
in Saudi Arabia for the implementation of
the plan.
According to the source, the delay in the
evacuation was because Nigeria did not
have a mission in Yemen.
“Nigeria is evacuating its citizens in
Yemen and a list of Nigerians in the
country has already been compiled.
“The first list has no fewer than 46
Nigerians identified to be resident in the
country. Already, the Nigerian Mission in
Saudi Arabia is coordinating the
evacuation.
“Nigeria does not have a Mission in
Yemen but Nigeria’s mission in Saudi
Arabia is coordinating the evacuation,” the
source said.
The source said Nigeria was committed to
safeguarding the lives of its citizens
wherever they are in the world.
Vonnewz reports that governments of
several countries including Germany,
France, Russia, India, Egypt and Somalia
have sent ships to transport their citizens
home from Yemen.
However, the U.S. has said there were no
immediate plans to evacuate its citizens
from Yemen.
The U.S. State Department’s website
states: “There are no plans for a U.S.
government-coordinated evacuation of
U.S. citizens at this time.
“We encourage all U.S. citizens to shelter
in a secure location until they are able to
depart safely.”
In mid-February, the U.S. government
closed its embassies in Yemen and
evacuated its personnel.
Last month, all Yemen’s airports shut
down operations amidst heavy fighting,
making it nearly impossible to leave the
Gulf state by air.
Since March, a Saudi-led coalition has
been launching airstrikes against Houthi
targets in Yemen as part of the campaign
to restore the government of fleeing Abd-
Rabbu Hadi.
