Anxiety mounts over Nigerian students trapped in Sudan
BY ORIAKU IJELE
As major countries all over the world earnestly commence evacuation of their nationals trapped in war-torn Sudan, anxiety is palpable amongst Nigerians whose relatives are resident in the country as hopes dim for their quick evacuation.
The Nigerians who are mainly students, said to be numbering at least 4000 have been begging through social media posts for them to be rescued but the FG has made calls for them to remain indoors since the situation is risky at the moment.
Daily Times learnt that the students’ body in the country has started making plans on how to evacuate their members but for a fee of $100. “They are requested to pay $100 to be evacuated to Ethiopia. That is the safest place to get them to for now as the crisis gets fiercer in Sudan. It is unfortunate”, a source said.
But the Nigerian authorities are against the move. According to the Nigerian Embassy in Khartoum in a circular signed by its representative, H.R Garko, countered the student’s’ body. According to the notice the Embassy said it “wishes to inform all students in Sudan, that they should disregard the notice circulated by NANS in Sudan, calling students to converge at the three locations namely: African International University, NANSS Office and El-Razi University, for evacuation or to bring 100 or $200 for evacuation.
“You are therefore requested to stay calm and remain indoors, while the embassy is working on final approval to commence evacuation.”
Meanwhile, widespread condemnation has trailed the action of the FG towards prompt evacuation of the students. Some Nigerians, including Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate for the 2023 election have called on President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to rescue Nigerians trapped in Sudan.
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In his post on Twitter, Obi said: “I’m sad and concerned by the reports that Nigerians trapped in Sudan have not been evacuated. While we understand the extreme challenges in Sudan, we deeply implore the Federal Government of Nigeria to expedite all efforts to rescue about 4000 Nigerians that are mostly students.
“Since it is the statutory responsibility of FGN to protect Nigerians at home in Nigeria and abroad, it is important that we attend to such issues with more deserving proactiveness and commitment as the life of every Nigerian is sacred and important.
A New Nigeria is really imperative and Possible,” he added.
