KHARTOUM, Sudan – Nigerian students trapped in the Republic of Sudan have expressed their disappointment as their hope for early evacuation has been dashed by the Federal Government amid the escalating military conflict in the country.
The fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Force has already claimed over 400 lives and injured about 3,500, causing thousands of civilians to flee the capital, Khartoum.
The Buhari Presidency has stated that the tense situation in Sudan is making it difficult for stranded Nigerian citizens to be evacuated.
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Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman/chief executive officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, said that although the Nigerian Mission in Sudan and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had arranged evacuation plans, it was currently impossible for any flights during this period of war.
“NEMA is in constant communication with all relevant partners, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Embassy in Khartoum, and security agencies, seeking an appropriate window of opportunity to evacuate stranded Nigerians safely and with dignity,” a government official told the press.
“The agency has established a search and rescue committee to evaluate the situation and find the safest way to evacuate Nigerian citizens, even if it means going through a neighbouring country to Sudan.”
While the United States has evacuated their embassy personnel, countries such as Britain, France, and China are also preparing to evacuate their diplomatic staff members from Sudan, Nigerian students remain stranded, facing increasing difficulties.
Adam Mohammed, secretary-general of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Sudan, revealed that some students attempted to escape by road to neighbouring countries but were forced to return to their hotel due to security issues.
