COVID-19: Stranded Nigerians at the Carribean Island accuse FG of abandonment, seek support to return home

As the deadly COVID-19 pandemic continue to ravage, stranded and dehumanized Nigerians including students in carribean island, Trinidad and Tobago have called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Foreign Affairs Ministry to come to their rescue.

The Nigerians who accused the Nigerian government of abandonment said the abandonment and constant degradation of the Nigerian nationals have been subjected to in the past months in the region have left them helpless and distressed.

The Nigerians in their Save Our Soul (SOS) message called on the Federal government to live up to its expectations and extend a helping hand to them through Evacuation process.

A PhD student and a stranded Nigerian who championed the struggle told our correspondent that “amidst the Covid-19 lockdown, up till now no positive response with ambassador himself”, while crying for help from ministry of foreign affairs.

He however, noted that the High Commissioner at the Trinidad and Tobago, Ambassador Hassan Ardo did all his best, except providing chartered flight for stranded citizens which he said is beyond his reach.

“We must laud the effort of Ambassador Hassan Ardo for his support up till date by visiting and rendering support to us” he said.

The distressed Nigerians added that all efforts to get assistance of foreign affairs Ministry was futile and in most cases they were directed to Nigeria Embassy where only Ambassador was only responsive representative of the country.

They appealed to Nigerian government to intervene and rescue them as they are stranded in the region since April adding that the absence of straight flight from region frustrated all efforts to get helps .

While lamenting that despite the proposed opening of Nigeria border on 29th August, the Trinidad and Tobago border remains closed till December 31st and if care is not taken, the Embassy would not facilitate their home coming and they can’t continue suffering till December.