FG ‘Working Round The Clock’ To Evacuate Nigerians In Sudan, Says Onyeama
A general view shows smoke billowing in Khartoum on April 20, 2023, as fighting between the army and paramilitary forces led by rival generals rages on. - Explosions and gunfire resounded in Sudan's capital, as fighting between the forces of two rival generals showed no signs of abating ahead of festivities marking the end of Ramadan. (Photo by - / AFP)
By Simeon OSAJIE
The Federal Government has assured of the safety and evacuation of Nigerians stranded in crisis-ridden Sudan, saying it is “working round the clock” to make that happen.
Geoffrey Onyeama, foreign Affairs Minister gave the assurance when he was featured on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.
“So, we have been working round the clock for the last two days to try and get the Nigerians out,” he said on the show, adding that the country’s embassy has been mandated to open a platform to register the nation’s citizens in Sudan.
His comment comes amidst a wave of criticisms and backlash against the government many accuse of being nonchalant in the evacuation of its citizens from the North African country.
But Onyeama says the situation is not as simple as being portrayed.
“Because the airport as you pointed out in your report is out of commission, the only viable way out is by road,” the minister added. “But of course, it is not totally safe so you are going to require the government to provide some security and a safe corridor out.”
The large number of Nigerians in Sudan, which he puts at 5, 500, makes the situation dicier.
He explained that out of the number, 80 percent of them are students, adding that some countries have only evacuated their diplomatic staff and not all of their citizens as speculated online.
But he assured that “we are doing everything we can to get the requisite approval from the Sudanese government”.
The minister is assuring Nigerians in Sudan of the government’s quick response.
