The Nigerian government has successfully evacuated over 370 stranded citizens from Sudan, following the recent outbreak of violence in the country. The evacuation was carried out by a joint team of the Nigerian Immigration Service, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Nigerian Air Force.
The first batch of evacuees, comprising 94 Nigerians, arrived in Abuja on Wednesday night aboard a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft. The second batch, comprising 282 Nigerians, arrived on Thursday morning aboard an Air Peace flight.
The evacuees, who were mostly students and traders, were stranded in Sudan following the outbreak of violence between the Sudanese military and pro-democracy protesters. The violence has killed hundreds of people and displaced thousands more.
The Nigerian government said it had secured the permission of the Sudanese government to evacuate its citizens. The government also said it had provided financial assistance to the evacuees to help them resettle in Nigeria.
The successful evacuation of Nigerian citizens from Sudan is a welcome development. It shows that the Nigerian government is committed to the safety and well-being of its citizens, even in times of crisis.
The evacuation also highlights the importance of international cooperation in responding to humanitarian crises. The Nigerian government was able to evacuate its citizens from Sudan with the assistance of the Sudanese government, the United Nations, and other international organizations.
The Nigerian government is urging its citizens to remain vigilant and to avoid traveling to Sudan at this time. The government is also providing updates on the situation in Sudan on its website and social media pages.
The evacuation exercise was part of the Nigerian government's efforts to ensure the safety of its citizens in foreign countries, particularly in Sudan, where there is currently political and economic instability. The government had previously announced plans to evacuate its citizens from Sudan and had set up a task force to oversee the repatriation exercise, which has been ongoing since the announcement of the plan.
The aircraft arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe airport in the Federal Capital Territory at 11:35 p.m., slightly behind schedule, but all evacuees were conveyed safely to their destination. According to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Farouq, 282 evacuees were transported by Air Peace, while NAF conveyed 96 evacuees.
The Sudanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohamed Yousif, was present at the airport to welcome the evacuees and express his regret about the current situation in Sudan while expressing his pleasure that the evacuees had returned home safely. The successful evacuation of the first batch of Nigerians from Sudan has been applauded by many Nigerians, who have expressed their gratitude to the government for ensuring the safety of its citizens in foreign countries.
The Nigerian government has assured Nigerians that it will continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of its citizens both at home and abroad. The successful repatriation of the first batch of Nigerians from Sudan is a testament to the government's commitment to the safety and well-being of its citizens. The government has also encouraged other Nigerians in foreign countries to take advantage of the repatriation exercise and return to Nigeria safely.
