A statement issued jointly by the Nigerian Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development on Saturday revealed that the first set of Nigerian evacuees from Sudan will soon be arriving in the country. The statement clarified that the evacuees are presently in Egypt and will be landing in Nigeria in the near future.
The statement partly reads: “In the time being, the first batch of Nigerian evacuees who have arrived at Aswan are expected to be airlifted to Nigeria in the coming hours by the Nigerian Air Force and Air Peace airline, who have been on standby for the operations,”
It further reveals that that more than 600 individuals have been transported to Egypt, and additional individuals are expected to join them on Saturday, as confirmed by Amb. Janet Olisa and Nasir Sani-Gwarzo.
“The Ministers noted that the first batch of 13 buses conveying six hundred and thirty-seven (637) evacuees had arrived at the identified safe borders at Aswan, Egypt, and are undergoing necessary documentation and clearance before admission into the Egyptian territory for their eventual evacuation to Nigeria,” it added.
“The movement of the second batch of 29 buses will commence on Saturday, 29th April 2023.”
The officials also rejected the criticism surrounding the $1.2 million set aside by the government to fund the evacuation operation.
“The outcry over the negotiated sum of $1.2 million for the buses hired for the exercise is uncalled for,” the Federal Government noted.
“The amount in question was negotiated in a condition of war and where there are competing demands for same bus services by other countries also trying to evacuate their citizens.”
The full statement can be read below.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja __________________________________
PRESS RELEASE pic.twitter.com/uSzlSW9Pbb— Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria 🇳🇬 (@NigeriaMFA) April 29, 2023
