Khartoum, Sudan.- (African Boulevard News) – The escalating conflict in Sudan has left Nigerians stranded and desperately seeking evacuation. According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, the most viable option for evacuating Nigerians out of the war-torn country is by road. As the conflict rages on, over 5,500 Nigerian students in Sudan have been calling on the government to evacuate them out of the Horn of Africa country.
Evacuation by Road
The Nigerian government has been working tirelessly to evacuate its citizens from Sudan despite the challenges involved. The airport is not considered safe, and the government has warned that the only viable way out is by road. To achieve this, the Nigerian embassy in Sudan has been instructed to put up a platform where all Nigerians in the country can log in, and information will be available to coordinate the process. The Nigerian government is also working to secure a safe corridor for Nigerians to travel through.
Nigerian Students Stranded
Nigerian students in Sudan have been advised to stay indoors, as the government works to evacuate them. Plans by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to evacuate students to Ethiopia have been dismissed, as it is considered dangerous to cross the borders of Sudan without clearance. The Nigerian Embassy in Khartoum has requested that all students remain indoors while they coordinate their evacuation.
Exploitation at the Ethiopian Border
Nigerian students trapped in the conflict zone have also reported exploitation by visa officials at the Ethiopian border, with some officials requesting bribes before giving students visas. The Nigerian embassy has advised students not to attempt to travel to the borders without clearance from Sudanese authorities.
Appeal for South-West Governors’ Intervention
Nigerian students of Yoruba extraction, trapped in Sudan, have appealed to South-West governors for their evacuation. The Yoruba Students’ Union in Sudan has called on the federal government and the South-West governors to come to their aid as the situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate.
Efforts to Evacuate Nigerians
The Nigerian government has assured its citizens that it is doing everything within its power to evacuate them safely from Sudan. The government has established a search and rescue committee to come up with the safest way of evacuating Nigerians stranded in the troubled nation. Despite the challenges, the government has been working around the clock to ensure the safety of its citizens.
Conclusion
The conflict in Sudan continues to pose a threat to the safety of Nigerians in the country. The Nigerian government has been working tirelessly to evacuate its citizens using the only viable option available, by road. Although the situation is challenging, the government remains committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of its citizens. The global community must also come together to enable meaningful intervention in the crisis facing Sudan.
