ABUJA, Nigeria — Several Nigerian students who were recently airlifted back to Nigeria from Egypt have shared harrowing accounts of their experiences while stranded abroad, alleging sexual harassment, extreme hunger, and financial distress.
Upon their arrival at the International Airport Abuja on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, a returnee female student recounted the difficult conditions they faced, including humiliation and sleeping in the open.
“We spent all the money we had. We were so hungry and thirsty. They were harassing us sexually. There was no food, no water to drink. We picked things from shops and ran away,” she told journalists, describing the desperation that led them to take such measures.
Another female student, speaking with the BBC Hausa Service, shared that their legs had swollen due to the long hours spent sitting on buses. The students were left with no choice but to endure the pain and discomfort as they awaited their rescue.
A male student revealed further indignities, explaining that the situation became so dire that they were forced to pay money just to be allowed to use the restroom. He expressed hope that the war would soon end, allowing him to return to Sudan and complete his final semester of studies.
These testimonies shed light on the extreme challenges faced by Nigerian students caught in the crossfire of ongoing crises in the region.
As the situation unfolds, their stories serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and instability.
