The number of Nigerian students who have indicated their willingness to return to the country from war-torn Sudan has risen to 1,700. However, the Federal Government may have dashed their hopes of an early evacuation. The fighting has been raging on in the troubled nation. The government explained that the tense situation in Sudan was creating problems. It will be extremely difficult for stranded Nigerian students to be evacuated from the country.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has released a statement. She said that though the Nigerian Mission in Sudan and the National Emergency Management Agency had put in place arrangements to evacuate the citizens, it was impossible for any flight during this period of war. The statement was signed by Gabriel Odu of the Media, Public Relations, and Protocols Unit, NIDCOM, on Friday.
Further, the tensed situation makes it gravely risky and impossible for any flights at this point in time. Also, the aircraft parked at the airport in the country were burned on Thursday morning. Dabiri-Erewa noted that humanitarian groups are seeking ways of getting food, water, and medical supplies to the Nigerian students.
Lastly, she is appealing to the fighting parties to consider the Juba Peace Agreement. It was enunciated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development as a fundamental mechanism for the restoration of peace and tranquility in the country.