The Nigerian Air Force (NAF C-130H) aircraft and Air Peace plane have been cleared to fly Egyptian airspace for the evacuation of Nigerians stranded in crisis-hit Sudan.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) had said over 7,000 nationals, including Nigerians, were not allowed to cross the border into Egypt since their arrival on Thursday evening from Sudan.

However, the Federal Government, in a statement issued by the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Janet Olisa, and that of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Sani Gwarzo, on Friday, disclosed that the NAF C-130H is scheduled to leave Abuja on April 28, 2023, to commence the airlift of the stranded students.

“Similarly, arrangements have been concluded to airlift all Nigerians that have already escaped on their own to safety in countries neighbouring Sudan.

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“However, 40 buses have been secured in Sudan to convey the students and other Nigerians from Khartoum to Aswan border in Egypt.

“Which is one of the identified safe reception borders, as of time of this statement, first batch of buses had already departed Khartoum,” the government said.

The Federal Government, however, noted the initial hitches during transportation of stranded Nigerian students from Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, where bus drivers stopped and dropped the students in the desert over non-payment transport fees have been resolved.

“Some Nigerian students who found their way to the Ethiopian border were allowed entry into Ethiopia, following the interventions of some Nigerian leaders.

“The students are in safe condition. Similarly, another group of Nigerians assisted by government of United Arab Emirate have arrived Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and arrangement are been made to return them back home,” it added.

The government said it has already convened a Situation Room to monitor the evacuation exercise, adding that the room is chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

The Star