The first batch of evacuees from Bucharest, Romania arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja this morning, Daily Trust has learnt.

The evacuees who fled Ukraine in the wake of the Russian invasion of the country sought refuge in Romania.

The Federal Government had contracted Max Air and Air Peace to evacuate the stranded Nigerians who had been asked to go to neighbouring countries such as Poland, Hungary, Romania, among others.

A total of $8.5 million was approved for the exercise.

While Air Peace could not depart Nigeria as scheduled due to operational hitches, Max Air flight left Abuja for Bucharest, on Thursday and it is now back with the first set of evacuees.

The 747-400 aircraft with Registration number 5N-HMM touched down at the NAIA by 06:11 this morning, an official of the airline confirmed to our correspondent.