Canadian nationals stranded in Nigeria are expressing frustration after waiting for hours for a flight that they were surprised to find out isn’t free. The High Commission of Canada to Nigeria revealed that the evacuation flight to Canada is scheduled for Monday, April 6, 2020, on Ethiopian Airlines.
Images showing the waiting Canadian nationals at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos have emerged. The Canadian nationals arrived at the airport in the early hours and were supposed to depart by 7:50 am. However, they were left waiting for hours.
According to a passenger who spoke to LIB, the delay was attributed to the inefficiency of Nigerian immigration and customs officials. The frustrated passenger remarked that the Canadian officials were also unsatisfied with the situation. They also complained about the flight not being free; each seat costs 5,000 Canadian dollars. However, Canadian citizens who lack the funds can receive a 5,000 Canadian dollars emergency COVID-19 loan from the government, with a 180-day repayment period.
Furthermore, it was disclosed that once the flight lands in Toronto, passengers traveling to Canadian cities outside Toronto are left to arrange further transportation on their own. The evacuation route includes stops in Abuja, Addis Ababa, and Dublin before finally reaching Toronto.
The experiences of these Canadian nationals trying to return home from Nigeria amidst the COVID-19 pandemic have been documented in a shared video on Instagram. The ordeal has shed light on the challenges faced by citizens striving to repatriate during this global crisis.