The Nigerian government has assured its citizens stranded in Sudan that they will be rescued soon.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, stated that the Nigerian mission in Sudan and Ethiopia, as well as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), are working to resolve the situation.
She urged citizens not to believe everything they read on social media, as the situation is complex and fluid.
Reacting to the video at a briefing in Abuja yesterday, Dabiri-Erewa said the evacuation process was a tedious one, adding that challenges were expected. She said the government was in touch with the students and that relevant agencies would resolve the situation in no time.
She said: “I’m seeing reports on Twitter, don’t believe everything on social media – -but I’m seeing reports that they’re stranded somewhere because the bus driver is demanding for some kind of full payment but whatever is happening will be resolved by NEMA and the Nigerian mission in Sudan and Ethiopia.
“There will be challenges along the way. It’s a very very complex and fluid situation. So whatever challenges are being faced now, I believe that relevant agencies will resolve them.
“We’re in touch with some of the students and whatever it is they talk about, we try to convey to the relevant agencies and we’ve resolved quite a few.
“Whatever it is they’re going through now, two hours away from where they are, will be resolved, and let’s understand that it’s a very fluid situation. And at the end of the day, we believe Nigeria will be one of the countries to rescue most of its citizens in Sudan.”
Dabiri-Erewa also revealed that more Nigerians, in addition to the documented students, had opted to be evacuated from Sudan to Egypt.
However, the Egyptian government has denied Air Peace airline landing permit, which has delayed the evacuation process.
The airline had volunteered to pick up the stranded Nigerian students from Egypt free of charge.
This article was updated 3 months ago
