CAIRO, Egypt – Over 700 stranded Nigerians were sent back to Sudan by Egyptian authorities after two students without proper travel documents managed to sneak into the group.
The students’ inclusion violated an agreement between Egypt and Nigeria, leading to the entire group being returned to Sudan and potentially causing legal issues for the undocumented students.
An anonymous Nigerian official on Friday, May 5, 2023, expressed frustration in a voice note, stating the situation would cost the group 10 man hours and additional funds for transportation and border fees.
The official urged parents to speak to their children, reassuring them that the government would not leave anyone behind.
The second batch of 130 evacuees has arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on a B737-300 aircraft operated by TARCO Airlines from Port Sudan.
Despite some health challenges among evacuees, most are reported to be doing well. Nigerian officials are making arrangements to bring home additional citizens stranded in Ethiopia and Jeddah as well.
The Director of Migration Affairs at the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Amb. Catherine Udiola, announced plans for readmission and reintegration for the returning students, including liaising with the Ministry of Education and providing psychosocial support.
The representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Umar Salisu, also mentioned ongoing efforts to help other African countries evacuate their citizens from Sudan.
