The federal government has asked Nigerians trapped in Sudan
to avoid dangerous trips to the borders in a bid to escape the country.
The government issued the warning in a joint statement signed
by Janet Olisa, a director in the ministry of foreign affairs, and Nasir
Sani-Gwarzo, a permanent secretary in the ministry of humanitarian affairs,
disaster management and social development.
The ministries expressed concern over the “dire humanitarian
situation” in Sudan and empathised with the civilian population caught up in
the ongoing crisis between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces
(RSF).
They said plans are in motion to evacuate stranded citizens
and asked for calm and maintenance of constant communication.
“The ministers,
therefore, urge parents to advise their wards that while concerted efforts are
being made to evacuate them, the students should endeavour to remain calm and
maintain constant communication with officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Sudan
for instructions and updates,” the statement reads.
“They can reach the embassy Officials on the following
telephone numbers, +2348035866773, +249961956284, +2348063636862,
+249961956274, +2349066663493.
“Furthermore, they are also advised to guard against undertaking
the treacherous journey to the borders on their own, in view of the dangers
involved.”
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairperson of Nigerians in Diaspora
Commission (NiDCOM), earlier said the government had asked for a safe corridor
for the evacuation of Nigerian students.
She said the evacuation would begin on Tuesday by buses to
the borders of Egypt before being airlifted to Nigeria.
The NiDCOM chair warned against those taking alternative
routes, saying they were putting themselves in harm’s way without security.
The ministries of foreign affairs and humanitarian affairs
re-echoed Dabiri-Erewa’s assurances, saying “concrete plans are underway, to
deploy, very shortly, air transport to evacuate all stranded Nigerian citizens
through the identified safe transit areas back home to Nigeria in safety and
dignity”.
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