Ogona Anita
The first batch of Nigerians who fled war-torn Sudan arrived via military jet C13 at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 2340HRS with an estimate of 376 evacuees.
Due to the closure of Sudanese Airspace, the Federal Government made arrangement for them to be conveyed to Egypt by road from where they were to connect flights back home.
However, there was a major setback when the Egyptian authorities denied them access over documentation issues.
The logjam continued for days until the Nigerian intelligence network struck a deal with its Egyptian counterpart.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Sadiya Farouk; Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa; and the Director General of the National Management Emergency Agency (NEMA), Ahmed Mustapha, welcomed them back to the country.
The Minister disclosed that each of them would get N100,000 to enable them settle in.
There are at least three million Nigerians in Sudan, according to Dabiri-Erewa, who promised that the Federal Government would rescue as many citizens as possible.
We understands that Azman and Max Air planes are currently on their way to Egypt for more evacuation.
Nigeria was able to rescue its citizens after the Sudanese warring factions declared ceasefire.
Daily Trust
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings