Federal Government Ends Evacuation of Stranded Nigerians From Sudan

The Federal Government has ended the emergency evacuation exercise of stranded Nigerians in Sudan, caused by a conflict between two military group that has claimed so many lives in the country.

The last batch of the stranded returnees, numbering 147, arrived Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja from Port Sudan over the weekend.

It brought the total number of Nigerian citizens evacuated from the north African country to 2,518 in 15 flights that were deployed between May 3rd and 13th.

The last batch of the returnees were received at the airport by the representative of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo.

The Minister of Foreign was represented by Amb. Janet Olisa to receive the last batch of the returnees at the airport.

Top government agencies from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), and Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) among others were involved in the evacuation exercise.

In a joint statement signed yesterday by Sani Gwarzo and Olisa on behalf of the federal government commended and appreciated the efforts of all the personnel that were involved in the successful evacuation exercise of the returnees.

The Director General of NEMA, Mustapha Habib Ahmed while briefing journalists on the evacuation process in Abuja, gave a breakdown of the evacuees which revealed that a total of 23 sick Nigerians were received among the 2,518 returnees.

Out of the 23 sick Nigerians received, 10 were treated on arrival by officials of NEMA, Port Healthcare and other medical personnels within the airport, while 13 were referred to the 108 Nigerian Airforce hospital Abuja.

Mustapha further revealed that a 8-day old baby that was delivered while the mother was awaiting airlift from Port Sudan, is currently being treated for jaundice at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada.

He further explained that a returnee with hand injury is been treated at the Federal Medical Centre Jabi, Abuja.

“We thank God Almighty that no life of any Nigerian was lost during the crisis and the evacuation exercise” he said.

Mustapha added that the evacuation process has come to an end after the federal government has successfully evacuated all those willing to come home.