The Israeli government has commenced the evacuation of its citizens resident in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

According to the government, this comes as part of efforts to protect its citizens from contacting coronavirus (COVID-19) which has killed thousands of people around the world.

The evacuation was supervised on Sunday by Mr Yotam Kreiman, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Israeli Embassy in the nation’s capital.

He told reporters at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja that the evacuation became necessary due to the global increase in cases of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Air Peace, a private Nigerian airline is airlifting the Israeli nationals on a direct flight to Israel, which is the first time there will be a direct flight to the country from Nigeria.

Approximately 250 Israelis made up of embassy staff and others working for private companies in Abuja were onboard the flight.