The Federal Government of Nigeria has revealed that plans are underway to evacuate Nigerians from Sudan as the country’s crisis continues to escalate. This decision was prompted by a request made by Nigerian students who are currently in Sudan and pleading for evacuation due to the ongoing troubles in the country.
Sudan has been witnessing hostilities between two generals, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), since a coup in 2021. The situation has been deteriorating, and the Nigerian students in Sudan have expressed concern about their safety and well-being.
In response to the request made by the Nigerian students, the Federal Government, through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has stated that meetings are being held to determine the best approach for the evacuation process. In a statement signed by the NIDCOM spokesman, Gabriel Odu, the Commission’s Chairman/CEO, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, expressed her concern for the plight of Nigerian students in Sudan and acknowledged the letter of solicitation by the Sudan chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NAN) for possible evacuation, particularly of students in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital.
Furthermore, Ms. Dabiri-Erewa assured that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), which is responsible for emergency evacuations, is consulting with the Nigerian mission in Sudan and other relevant agencies to ensure a smooth evacuation process. She also urged all Nigerian students in Sudan, as well as Nigerians living in Sudan, to remain security conscious and calm.
The situation in Sudan remains fluid, and the Nigerian Government is taking steps to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens in the country. Evacuation plans are being put in place to provide necessary assistance to Nigerian students and other citizens affected by the crisis in Sudan.