Israel’s ambassador to Nigeria addressed almost 300 passengers who were being repatriated from the African nation on an historic flight this week.

Wearing a mask and gloves, ambassador Shimon Ben Shoshan welcomed 274 men, women and children onboard the first direct flight between the two countries.

Speaking to both the passengers and crew in English and Hebrew, Mr Ben Shoshan said that this was the first direct flight between the two nations who first established diplomatic relations 60 years ago.

Departing from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in the capital city Abuja, the five-and-a-half-hour flight was operated by the private Nigerian airline, Air Peace.

It flew over Chad, Sudan and Egypt, a route that ordinarily might have been avoided due to security concerns.

The Boeing 777-300 flight formed part of the Israeli government’s efforts to airlift its citizens from around the world as the coronavirus pandemic rages on.

Many of those onboard had been left stranded after Nigeria and neighbouring countries closed their airports. They included embassy staff and their families, as well as others employed by private firms.

Passengers also joined the flight in Lagos, while four more Israelis made the connection after flying in on a private jet from the Ivory Coast.

Mr Ben Shoshan, who has been based in Nigeria since January 2019 and previously served in South Korea, said: “I would like to thank the chairman and the CEO of Air Peace airlines for his amazing leadership and amazing devotion, for this fantastic and historic flight. Thank you all. I think he deserves a round of applause!”

The two countries first established diplomatic ties in 1960 after Nigeria declared independence. Thirteen years later, after the Yom Kippur war, Nigeria and many other African countries severed ties with Israel. These were only restored in 1992.

According to the Worldometer website, which records those affected by coronavirus around the world each day, Nigeria has reported 139 confirmed cases and two deaths so far. By contrast, Israel has 5591 cases and 21 deaths.

The Israeli embassy in Abuja remains open.

In an official statement issued on Sunday, the ambassador said: “I would like to recognise and appreciate the Israeli community for their decades of contribution to Nigeria in the areas of economy, infrastructure, education and technology.

“Even though they are obliged to send the women and children back home, the managers of the Israeli companies have shown leadership by continuing the operations of their companies in Nigeria.

“For this, I as the ambassador of the State of Israel am very proud and thankful to them for their contributions to the Nigerian community especially during this global health crisis.”