Federal government has revealed that 30 stranded Nigerians in a video that went viral on social media appealing for help have been rescued by Nigerian Mission in Lebanon.

A statement issued Tuesday and signed by Mr Gabriel Odu of the Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), said the 30 rescued ladies would be part of 150 others trafficked and stranded in Lebanon to be evacuated back to Nigeria.

He said Lebanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Houssam Diab, disclosed the evacuation plans when management of NIDCOM, led by its Secretary, Mr Sule Bassi, visited the Embassy in Abuja.

Odu quoted Diab to have said that the 150 stranded Nigerians would be returned home in batches.

Diab stressed that the first batch of 110 would leave Beirut, Lebanon to Lagos on August 12, while the second batch would be returned to Abuja on August 16, 2020.

The diplomat commended efforts of the Lebanese community and Oyo State Government for sponsoring the return of the stranded Nigerians.

The statement said: “30 Nigerians in a video appealing for help have been rescued by Nigerian Mission in Lebanon and have been relocated to a more conducive apartment

“They will be part of 150 others trafficked and stranded in Lebanon to be evacuated back to Nigeria.

“Suffice to say that 150 of these stranded victims are expected to be evacuated next week and handed over to NAPTIP, the agency responsible for trafficking.”

A breakdown shows Oyo State has four, Ogun has 21, Lagos, 12; Ondo, 18; Osun, 26; Delta and Imo States have three each; Kwara, nine; Ekiti, six; Enugu, Kogi, Edo, Ebonyi, Benue, Abia, Akwa Ibom and Anambra have one each.

Speaking, Bassi commended the dedication and commitment of the Nigerian Ambassador to Lebanon, Mr Goni Bura, mission staff, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oyo and Ogun State Governments and other strategic partners.

Thisday