Following the arrival of the first batch from Sudan to Abuja yesterday, the Federal Government has said that if four aircraft were made available to move at once, every Nigerian in Sudan will be evacuated. The Nigerian authorities have said that their evacuation plan has covered more than 3,500 nationals but their numbers can be greater as more than 5,000 Nigerians are believed to live in Sudan as many of them are students.
The Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission , NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, while speaking last night at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja stated that if four aircraft can move at once, every Nigerian stranded in Sudan will be brought home. In her word;
“If four planes go at the same time, they will bring everybody back. Most importantly, we hope those over there come back speedily.”
Abike went further to say that we are expecting that with the arrangements made by NEMA, it is going to be more planes because Egypt made it difficult. Egypt made it clear that if the number of people you brought is let’s say 200 and the aircraft can only take 150, then nobody will leave. They want you to pick the number of people that you are bringing into their borders. she added.
Abike also said that they are trying to get ticket and if other airlines get the landing permit, they will quickly go to help evacuate them. At least, they are coming back home and we are glad no life was lost and priority was given to students, women and children,she added.
