Sudan war: Fear grips Nigerian gov’t, says 1,700 trapped students can’t be evacuated now

The Federal government of Nigeria said, it’s difficult to evacuate stranded 1,700 Nigerian students in the war torn Sudan, saying any attempt to do that may not be any time soon as fighting between two rival groups rages.

The government explained that the tense situation in Sudan was making it difficult for stranded Nigerian citizens to be evacuated from the country, explaining that aircrafts packed at the airport in the country were burnt on Thursday.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said though the Nigerian Mission in Sudan and the National Emergency Management Agency had put in place arrangements to evacuate the citizens, it was impossible for any flight during this period of war.

This was contained in a statement signed by Gabriel Odu of the Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, NIDCOM, on Friday.

The statement read, “The Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has said while the Nigerian Mission in Sudan and the National Emergency Management Agency have put in place arrangements to evacuate Nigerian students and other Nigerian citizens stranded in Sudan, the tensed situation makes it gravely risky and impossible for any flights at this point in time, noting that aircrafts parked at the airport in the country were burnt yesterday (Thursday) morning.

“Dabiri-Erewa noted that humanitarian groups are seeking ways of getting food, water and medical supplies across to people.

“She therefore appealed to the fighting parties to consider the Juba Peace Agreement enunciated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development as a fundamental mechanism for the restoration of peace and tranquillity in the country.”