The FG pleaded with the Egyptian government to gently permit the already traumatized tourists to pass to their final destinations in a number of African state
According to the Federal Government, 7,000 people, including Nigerians, are stuck at the Egyptian border while trying to leave Sudan.
According to Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), this is the case.
Dabiri-Erewa expressed empathy for the condition of those affected, according to Gabriel Odu of the Media, Public Relations, and Protocols Unit of NIDCOM, in a statement on Friday.
“Dabiri-Erewa said over 7000 Nationals, including Nigerians, are not being allowed to cross the border into Egypt since their arrival late yesterday evening,” read the statement.
“She continued by saying that the Nigerian embassy in Egypt has been working nonstop on this issue because the Egyptian government requires visas from fellow Africans in order for them to transit back to their countries.
She pleaded with the Egyptian government to gently permit the already traumatized visitors to transit to their final destinations in a number of African states.
The request comes days after Geoffrey Onyeama, the minister of foreign affairs, claimed that the federal government had paid $1.2 million for 40 buses to transport Nigerians out of the war-torn nation of North Africa.
Since that time, some Nigerians who were stranded in Sudan have traveled to Egypt, where they will be flown back to their country, according to the NIDCOM director.
“About 60 individuals from 13 buses have already departed. We are keeping an eye on them in the hopes that they will band together later this evening. The fact that mission personnel are waiting to greet them does not make the situation comfortable, she stated on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said that it will begin the airlifting of Nigerian evacuees from Egypt on Friday in response to the situation.
“Certification to fly to Egypt has been granted to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Peace, and other Airlines. Tomorrow, April 28, 2023, the NAF C-130H is expected to depart Abuja to begin airlifting the evacuees, according to Amb. Janet Olisa of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Additionally, it stated that arrangements have been made to fly all Nigerians who have already managed to flee independently to safety in other nations bordering Sudan.
