The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has lamented that the tensed situation in Sudan would make it impossible for evacuation of Nigerian students and other Nigerian citizens who stranded to the ongoing conflict in the country.
NIDCOM Managing Director/CEO, Abike Dabiri-Erewa in a statement released on Friday, while giving an update, said the Nigerian Mission in Sudan and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), have already put in place the arrangements for thr evacuation.
Dabiri-Erewa noted that most of the aircrafts parked at the Airport in the country were reportedly burnt yesterday morning, adding that Humanitarian Groups are seeking ways of getting food, water and medicals across to people.
She therefore appealed to the fighting Parties to consider the Juba Peace Agreement enunciated by Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), as fundamental mechanism for the restoration of peace and tranquility in the country.
Nigerian students numbering over 1,262 have appealed for evacuation from the Republic of Sudan where a fierce military confrontation between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary group, Rapid Support Force, has claimed over 400 lives with 3,200 injured.
The Secretary-General of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Sudan, Adam Mohammed, who said this in an interview with PUNCH newspaper on Thursday, lamented that many students had run out of food.
Earlier, the federal government made an official request on Thursday to Sudanese authorities for permission to evacuate Nigerian citizens as the crisis in the country rages on.
The Nigerian Government said that the non-adherence to ceasefire agreements has made it “impossible” to embark on the evacuation of trapped Nigerians.
Francisca Omayuli, Spokesperson of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, said that Nigeria is “deeply concerned about the escalation of the conflict” while wished to reiterate the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire.
“The non-adherence of the warring parties to numerous international calls for a ceasefire has worsened the plight of civilians and made it impossible to embark on their evacuation”, she said.
The Ministry added that the Nigerian embassy has created WhatsApp and Telegram platforms for the purpose of “proper coordination and regular updates”, also advised Nigerians in the country to remain indoors.
