FG says ‘all initial hitches hampering evacuation resolved,’ approves Air Force for airlift of stranded Nigerians in Sudan

Federal Government has approved the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) deployment of military aircraft in the airlift of Nigerians stranded in the war-stricken Sudan, in addition to the engagement of civil aviation operator, Air Peace.

Also, the issue of Nigerians stranded on the Sahara Desert en route the Egyptian border over demands by the bus drivers for full payments for their services has been resolved.

These, among others were the resolutions reached among various agencies which convened a Situation Room over the hitches encountered in the evacuation of the stranded Nigerians in Sudan.

This is also as reports suggest that the nearly 1000 Nigerians are, however, among the 7000 nationals of other countries presently stranded at the Egyptian border with Sudan. The Nigerians are among the first batch of evacuees conveyed in 13 buses chartered by the Nigerian government for the purpose of evacuating its citizens to the border post in the North African country.

A joint statement issued by member-agencies of the Situation Room also confirmed that all problems related to the evacuation process of Nigerians in Sudan have been resolved, even as it also added that the ‘initial hitches encountered during the commencement of the exercise, including incidents of bus drivers stopping in the desert due to non-payment have been resolved,’ as, according to them, ‘the stranded buses have continued (their journey) towards the Egyptian border.’

Member-agencies of the situation room include;  the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (FMHADMSD), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).

Other members are; the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Office of the Chief of Staff, National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Nigerian Air Force (NAF), as well as, the various Nigerian Foreign Missions relevant to the evacuation exercise.

The situation explained the evacuation process is on the back of the three-day ceasefire brokered y the United States between the warring armies in Sudan, adding further that ‘the previously stalled evacuation exercise is progressing and will continue until all stranded Nigerians are brought back home safely.’

The member-agencies further confirmed that the Nigerian Air Force has already dispatched its heavy-payload transport plane, the NAF C-130H to Egypt and join Air Peace in the evacuation process.

“Seizing the window of the three (3) day United States negotiated ceasefire in Sudan, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR approved the immediate deployment of both human and financial resources towards the evacuation of Nigerians caught up in the ongoing crisis in Sudan.

“Consequently, forty (40) buses have been secured in Sudan to convey the students and other Nigerians from Khartoum to Aswan border in Egypt, which is one of the identified safe reception borders. As at the time of the release of this statement, the 1st batch of buses had already departed Khartoum.

“The Nigerian Mission in Egypt is liaising with the Egyptian Authorities to facilitate the evacuation exercise, by providing emergency entry documents and holding shelters, until the stranded Nigerians are airlifted back to Nigeria.

“The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Peace and other Airlines have received clearance to fly to Egypt. The NAF C-130H is scheduled to leave Abuja tomorrow, 28th April, 2023 to commence the airlifting of the evacuees. Similarly, arrangements are being concluded to airlift all Nigerians that have already escaped on their own to safety in other countries neighbouring Sudan.

“Some Nigerian students who found their way to the Ethiopian border on 22nd April, 2023 and got stranded were allowed entry into Ethiopia on 24th April, 2023 following the intervention of some Nigerian leaders. The students are safe and in good condition and have already made personal travel arrangements to return to Nigeria.

“Similarly, another group of Nigerians assisted by the Government of United Arab Emirates (UAE) arrived Jeddah and are being taken care of by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the Nigerian Embassy in KSA. Arrangements are being made to bring them back home safely.

“The initial hitches encountered during the commencement of the exercise, including incidents of bus drivers stopping in the desert due to non-payment have been resolved. The buses have continued towards the Egyptian border. The evacuation exercise is progressing and will continue until all stranded Nigerians are brought back home safely,” read the joint statement issued by the Stuation Room and signed by Amb. Janet Olisa, Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Friday.

Reacting to the evacuation process, a Twitter user Mikael C, Bernard disclosed that his chat with an agent of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States government revealed that the Nigerian government for reasons only known to them opted to direct its people to Egypt, a journey of two days instead of Ethiopia which was barely two hours drive from Sudan, which the U.S was using to evacuate its citizens.

“According to the Obidient CIA who spoke with the Sudanése students, the NEMA/Mission refused to use the shorter route “Khartoum to Ethiopia” for evacuation.

“Rather, they opted for the 24 hour long journey of Khartoum to Egypt, through the desert.

“Out of 40 buses allegedly paid for, only 13 buses came.(verified by Abike Dabiri).

“Here’s the crazy thing, these students were not given water or food for 24 hours. In a war torn country where stores are closed, these people had to starve and remain dehydrated inside the desert.

“While other countries were giving food and even roses, Nigeria left thousands of people behind and starved the ones they rescued to death.

“They also told those who made the videos that they’d be arrested once they get back home.

“The $1.2M and the 150M Naira, what was it used for? This money was given at CBN rate oh, not black market rate. What did they use it for? Students had to contribute for their own transport, and almost died from dehydration.

“The Nigerian govt is not doing them a favor by rescuing them, it’s the job of the govt. We will not keep quiet. The North must hear of this,” he user wrote via his Twiter handle (@MikaelCBernard), Friday.