NiDCOM Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has revealed that the Nigerian government may start evacuating its citizens from Sudan on Tuesday, due to the ongoing war. She disclosed this in an interview with BBC Africa, emphasizing that it is risky to move people out of a war zone without clearance from the factions in conflict.
Dabiri-Erewa explained that buses would be leaving Khartoum, the capital city, heading towards some borders in Cairo, where they would be airlifted back to Nigeria. She added that the first set of buses may leave on Tuesday, but they would need to ensure the safety and security of the evacuees. The Chairman stated that the mission had contacted the authorities to ensure that Nigerians in Ethiopia were safe.
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Dabiri-Erewa revealed that the number of Nigerian students stranded in Sudan is approximately 3,500. She pointed out that it is unsafe to transport them without adequate security measures in place. The official noted that the Nigerian Association of Nigerian Students had attempted to evacuate the students, but it was a dangerous move.
The conflict in Sudan started on April 15, leading to the death of over 420 people, mostly civilians, and the displacement of millions. The Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces are locked in a power tussle, causing shortages of basic amenities in Khartoum and the Darfur region.
