FG Sets Up Committee To Rescue Nigerians In Sudan

People flee the southern part of Khartoum as street battles between the forces of two rival Sudanese generals continue on April 21, 2023. – Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands wounded since the fighting erupted on April 15 between forces loyal to Sudan’s army chief and the commander of the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). (Photo by – / AFP)

The Federal Government has set up a committee to work towards rescuing Nigerian citizens trapped in Sudan due the current unrest in the North African country.

This was disclosed in a statement by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) signed by its Head of Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel, on Saturday.

The latest assurance is coming after the Federal Government on Friday expressed worry over its inability to evacuate Nigerians in Sudan as a deadly crisis continues to plague the North African nation.

The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa had in Twitter post noted that the authorities were experiencing challenges, particularly with regard to airlifting Nigerian nationals out of the troubled country.

But according to NEMA, the committee, which consists of professional emergency responders, search and rescue experts, “will constantly evaluate the situation and seek for the safest way to evacuate the Nigerian citizens even if it is through a country neigboring Sudan.”

The agency said it is in “constant communication with all relevant partners including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and security agencies while seeking for an appropriate window of opportunity to evacuate all stranded Nigerians back home in a safe and dignified manner.”

It noted that the current emergency situation in Sudan is very complex with fighting between waring factions going on and all airports and land boarders closed.

However, NEMA said it is working with all its partners and is constantly compiling updated information on the situation.

The Director General of NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed, also said that the agency is very much concerned and is working on all possible options of bringing the stranded Nigerians back home to their loved ones in safe and dignified manner.

April 22, 2023