Relatives of some Nigerians in Sudan will surely be in jubilation mood today, as a batch of Nigerian students in Sudan are set to arrive.
Almost two weeks after the war between two rival generals in Sudan broke out, Nigeria is set to evacuate the first set of citizens.
About 5,500 Nigerian students in Sudan will be evacuated and are expected to arrive on Friday, April 28.
The chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, announced this at the weekly ministerial briefing.
The briefing was organised by the Presidential Communications Team.
Over 3 Million Nigerians
According to Dabiri-Erewa, there are over three million Nigerians residing in Sudan and efforts are being made to evacuate as many of them as possible.
However, she notes that priority will, be given to children, students, and women.
Mrs Dabiri-Erewa says 13 buses being used for evacuation, have departed Sudan for the Egyptian border Aswan.
From Aswan, the returnees will be airlifted back to Nigeria.
“We have some buses that have departed from the African International University in Khartoum, Sudan. As I speak, I think they are just about two hours away from Aswan in Cairo,” says Mrs Dabiri-Erewa.
According to her spokesperson, the first batch is expected in Nigeria today, Friday.
$1.2 Million
Earlier, the Federal Government announced that it loaned 40 buses for the evacuation.
The buses cost $1.2 million, an official announced Wednesday.
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Also, Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa allayed the fears that the buses conveying the Nigerians would be attacked by either of the two fighting factions.
According to her, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, already secured the understanding of the leaders of the factions before the transportation of Nigerians by road.
