US ready to evacuate its citizens from Nigeria due to coronavirus spread

Due to the increasing cases of coronavirus in Nigeria, the US Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria said it's preparing emergency flights to evacuate its citizens from the country, ThePunch reports.

The Consulate in a notice on Friday, March 27, 2020, urged Americans in Nigeria to be in Abuja and Lagos to join the flights arranged for their evacuation.

The notice titled ‘Health Alert: US Mission in Nigeria’ also advised the US citizens in the country to enroll on a messaging system that’ll give them updates and information on evacuation flights.

With 81 cases of coronavirus in Nigeria, only one death has been recorded. (NST) AFP

The statement read, “At present, there are no scheduled flights to the United States. However, we are actively exploring options and attempting to secure flights despite global airport closures and travel restrictions.

“We will email US citizens immediately once we have flight details, routes, and costs.

“US citizens who are considering returning to the United States are urged to travel to Abuja or Lagos as soon as possible.

“The Embassy and Consulate are unable to assist with lodging, food, or transportation costs, and some hotels have closed or are closing.

“To disseminate important information and alerts for US Citizens including possible evacuation flights, the State Department uses the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program as its primary messaging system. US Citizens in Nigeria who want to be informed about emergency flights and receive other alerts should enroll in STEP immediately.”

However, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the US as of Saturday, March 28, 2020, has risen to 68,334 with 991 attendant deaths, while at the time of filing this report, 81 cases of the disease with one death have been recorded in Nigeria .