Nigerian Ambassador to Sudan, Safiu Olaniyan, has expressed his concern about the difficulties faced in evacuating Nigerians, including students, who are stranded in Sudan due to the ongoing conflict in the country. Olaniyan clarified that the Nigerian embassy in Sudan was not responsible for hiring buses to evacuate the stranded students and appealed for calm.
He explained that the Ministry of Disaster and Humanitarian Affairs and the National Emergency Management Agency were in charge of the buses. Olaniyan also lamented that embassy officials were facing the same hardships as the stranded Nigerians, including a lack of food, water, and electricity.
ALSO READ: Federal Government denies ulterior motive behind $1.2 million negotiated for buses in Sudan crisis
The ambassador assured parents and students that embassy officials were on the ground in Khartoum, working to ensure their safe evacuation. Olaniyan urged the Nigerians not to take any violent action and to be patient while the necessary arrangements are being made.
He added that the Nigerian government was making efforts to secure clearance from Egyptian authorities for Nigerians fleeing Sudan to pass through their country. Olaniyan stated that all the necessary contacts were being made in Nigeria and Egypt for the clearance to be issued.
Olaniyan also assured Nigerians that the embassy was doing everything possible to ensure their safety and that the present arrangement that had broken down was coordinated in Nigeria. He promised to remain in Sudan until all Nigerians have been moved to safety and to Nigeria. The ambassador’s message was posted on the NiDCOM Situation Room on Sunday.
