No fewer than 1700 Nigerian students have indicated willingness to return to the country from war-torn Sudan but the hopes of an early evacuation by the Federal Government looks bleak as fighting continues.
In a statement signed by Gabriel Odu of the Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, on Friday, the FG explained that the tense situation in Sudan was making it difficult for stranded Nigerians to be evacuated.
NiDCOM Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the Nigerian Mission in Sudan and the National Emergency Management Agency have put all arrangements un place for the evacuation, it was, however, impossible for any kind of flight to move during the period of war.
The statement read, “The Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has said while the Nigerian Mission in Sudan and the National Emergency Management Agency have put in place arrangements to evacuate Nigerian students and other Nigerian citizens stranded in Sudan, the tensed situation makes it gravely risky and impossible for any flights at this point in time, noting that aircrafts parked at the airport in the country were burnt yesterday (Thursday) morning
“Dabiri-Erewa noted that humanitarian groups are seeking ways of getting food, water and medical supplies across to people.
“She therefore appealed to the fighting parties to consider the Juba Peace Agreement enunciated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development as a fundamental mechanism for the restoration of peace and tranquillity in the country.”
