The Federal Government has evacuated 499 Nigerians, out of the about 2000 said to be stranded in Tripoli over the political crisis in Libya. The returnees arrived the Abuja International Airport at 1:30 am on Sunday, via a chartered flight.

It was gathered that the Director General of the National Emergency Management agency (NEMA) Muhammad Sani-Sidi ledthe rescue team and promised that the exercise would continue till all Nigerians stranded in the Arab nation are brought back home.

He said that the federal government has established a special camp to accommodate the returnees who will be discharged after necessary documentations and screening exercise.

Sani-Sidi also announced that the second flighthas flown to Libyato bring the remaining Nigerian nationals.{googleAds}
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In a statement by Yashau Shuaib, Head Press and Public Relations, NEMA, the rescue team for the operation included officers from NEMA, Foreign Affairs,immigrations, medical and security personnel.

The statement also said President Goodluck Jonathan had ordered for the immediate evacuation of distressed Nigerians after the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja.
Among the evacuated citizens are the elderly, women, children as well as a few convicts handed over to the Nigerian Embassy in Tripoli.