Introduction to the Rescue Mission
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigeria’s embassy in Bangui, has successfully evacuated 11 stranded Nigerian miners from the Central African Republic (CAR). The miners were abandoned by their employer in the remote town of Bambari after a distress video pleading for help went viral on social media.
The Distress Call and Viral Video
In the viral video, the miners alleged abandonment and maltreatment by a Chinese mining company that recruited them for work in the French-speaking African nation. The footage showed six men appealing to Nigerians to help spread their message and draw the Federal Government’s attention to their plight. Their location was later identified as Senye, a village in the Bambari region of CAR.
Evacuation and Reception
A Sky Airlines Boeing 747-200 aircraft, registration number ET-AXO, conveying the returnees landed in Abuja at exactly 4:45 p.m. on Thursday. From the international wing, they were moved to the Hajj Terminal for formal reception, immigration clearance, and screening by relevant security agencies. They were accompanied to Nigeria by the Nigerian Ambassador to CAR, Mr Babagana Ahmed.
Response from Authorities
Welcoming them at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, NEMA Director-General Mrs Zubaida Umar commended the swift inter-agency response to the miners’ distress call. Represented by Air Commodore Kenneth Oyong, Director of Search and Rescue, she said security agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the National Intelligence Agency, played key roles. The miners, who endured months of hardship without pay, were first relocated to the Nigerian ambassador’s residence in Bangui, where they received care before arrangements for their return.
Support and Care for the Miners
On arrival in Nigeria, the miners were given meals, overnight accommodation, and money to assist in reconnecting with their families. The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for prompt attention to citizens in distress overseas.
The Rescue and Evacuation Process
Ambassador Ahmed confirmed the successful rescue and evacuation of 11 Nigerians stranded for eight months in a remote forest village under the Bambari region, 850 kilometers from Bangui. He recalled a viral video dated July 24, 2025, in which the stranded Nigerians pleaded for urgent evacuation from Senye village. They had been recruited to work at mining sites but were later abandoned by their employer in the isolated forest area.
Experience of the Miners
One of the repatriated miners, Oluremi Peters, recounted being stranded in CAR with colleagues. Peters said they were invited to CAR by a Nigerian associate and a Chinese national who promised lucrative mining work. He said they arrived in September 2024 but were left idle for four months, with assurances that equipment would arrive soon. During this period, they were arrested by CAR police, suspected of printing money or being bandits, and detained for 16 days.
Advice and Gratitude
Peters thanked the Nigerian government and the CAR embassy for their support. He advised young Nigerians to research thoroughly and secure concrete offers before accepting overseas work. The miners’ safe repatriation reflects the administration’s resolve to protect its citizens wherever they are. Peters said the government’s swift action was commendable as proof of its commitment to citizens’ safety and welfare abroad.
Conclusion
The successful evacuation of the 11 Nigerian miners from the Central African Republic is a testament to the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration and the commitment of the Nigerian government to protect its citizens abroad. The swift response to the distress call and the provision of care and support to the miners demonstrate the government’s resolve to prioritize the safety and welfare of its citizens.
FAQs
- Q: How many Nigerian miners were evacuated from the Central African Republic?
A: 11 Nigerian miners were evacuated from the Central African Republic. - Q: What was the reason for their evacuation?
A: The miners were abandoned by their employer in the remote town of Bambari and pleaded for help through a viral video on social media. - Q: Who was involved in the evacuation process?
A: The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Nigeria’s embassy in Bangui were involved in the evacuation process. - Q: What support was provided to the miners upon their return to Nigeria?
A: The miners were given meals, overnight accommodation, and money to assist in reconnecting with their families.
