Sudan: FG Concludes Evacuation Of Students, Shutdown Situation Room

        Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo

The Federal Government has concluded the evacuation of students trapped in the war-torn Sudan and shutdown the situation room. 

This was even as the government announced that a standby team would be available for any future emergencies.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Chairman of the Situation Room, Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, disclosed this on Monday while briefing newsmen in Abuja.

He recognised the presence of other Nigerians in Sudan, such as recent travellers and long-established families who desires to return home.

To this end, he noted that the Federal Government has setup a dedicated committee to facilitate the repatriation of those that have voluntarily indictated interest to return home. 

While saying that the committee would replicate the successes recorded in repatriating the students, he advised the students to report any colleague skipped  during the evacuation exercise. 

”An inspiring example of the operation’s effectiveness lies in the story of a young girl with chronic asthma, unintentionally left behind due to hospitalisation.

”Through diligent efforts, she was located and successfully brought back to Nigeria in one of the final evacuation flights, underscoring the operation’s efficacy", added. 

Sani-Gwarzo informed that majority of Nigerians in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia have been evacuated from Sudan, with only 13 individuals remaining, adding that plans are underway to bring them home.

In N’djamena, Chad and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the chairman maintained that all Nigerians have returned, except for nine and seven individuals respectively, who would soon reunite with their families.

He pointed out that all 800 travelers who transited through Egypt have successfully returned home.

Gwarzo said that the Nigerian Embassy in Sudan has profiled the individuals and established a committee dedicated to facilitating their safe passage to Nigeria.

While the exact number of those awaiting repatriation remained undisclosed, the committee has started assessing the necessary logistics and examining their paperwork.

To streamline the process, Gwarzo hinted that Port Sudan was designated as the official collection center, just as he advised intending evacuees to relocate there.  

He said that the successful evacuation exercise of 2,518 stranded Nigerians from Sudan is a testament to the government’s commitment to the welfare and well-being of Nigerian citizens abroad.