The first batch of Nigerians evacuated from war-torn Sudan arrived in the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Wednesday night.
They arrived at about 11:35pm aboard a Nigerian Airforce plane and Air Peace Aircraft amidst cheers from Nigerians at the airport.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Ms. Sadiya Farouq, who received the evacuees in Abuja, thanked the transport companies and all members of the evacuation committee for their efforts in ensuring that no Nigerian life was lost in Sudan and in transit.
Addressing the returning Nigerians, the Minister disclosed that a token of N100,000 will be disbursed to each of them to cater for their transportation back to their families and N25,000 recharge cards to enable them settle down comfortably.
“No life was lost, which is the most important thing. All the efforts put in place were not in vain.
“I thank every member of the committee that has put all efforts into ensuring that these people are brought back safely and with dignity. We thank the transport companies for their support.
“There is N100,000 that would transport them back to their families, which is supported by the Dangote Foundation by giving them the transportation fare as well as the dignity kits and also 25,000 recharge cards from MTN and 1.5 GB data courtesy of MTN,” Farouq said.
Mr Mustapha Ahmed, the Director General, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said four more flights conveying Nigerians from Sudan are expected in the country on Thursday, three from Port Sudan and one from Aswan.
“The situation in Sudan is real and terrible but we pray for peace to return to that country. I’m happy our people have started coming back.
“We are expecting about four flights tomorrow – three from Port Sudan and one from Aswan. So, it’s a process that has started and the tempo will keep on increasing,” he said.
NEMA reports that the fierce fights between Sudan’s Army and para-military forces jostling to take control of the country has entered its third week and four days on Thursday.
Khartoum, the capital of Sudan with a population of around five million people, is gradually looking like a ghost town as gunfire and heavy artillery bombardments persist.
Thousands of citizens are fleeing the capital city due to massive shortages of food, water, and electricity.
According to the United Nations report, more than 500 people have been killed since the supremacy battle started in April 15, with a further 50,000 Sudanese refugees mostly women and children crossing over to Chad, Egypt, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic.
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