The Federal Government has clarified that the 1.2 million dollars purportedly spent on leasing buses for the evacuation of Nigerian students in Sudan was owing to the emergency necessities of the conflict scenario.
This is stated in a statement issued by Mrs Rhoda Iliya, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
On Saturday, it was also signed by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Janet Olisa, and Dr Sani Gwarzo of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
“The uproar over the negotiated sum of 1.2 million dollars for the buses hired for the exercise is unwarranted.”
“The amount in question was negotiated in a state of war, with competing demands for the same bus services from other countries also attempting to evacuate their citizens.”
“The general public is hereby advised to disregard the unverified information being circulated on social media as some of it is either due to ignorance or sheer mischief,” the statement added.
The statement also pleaded for all Nigerians’ help and understanding in the continuing efforts to guarantee that all Nigerians stranded in Sudan be safely returned home.
“The first batch of 13 buses carrying 637 (637) evacuees arrived at the identified safe borders in Aswan, Egypt.”
“The evacuees are undergoing necessary documentation and clearance before being admitted into Egyptian territory for eventual evacuation to Nigeria in the coming hours by the Nigerian Air Force and Air Peace airline, both of which have been on standby for the operations.”
“However, the second batch of 29 buses will begin moving on April 29, and evacuees are advised to arrive at the designated locations with only one piece of luggage.”
It recommended Nigerian students awaiting evacuation from Khartoum to work with embassy authorities to get correct papers before boarding buses to the scheduled places.
“This will go a long way towards speeding up the process and avoiding unnecessary delays with documentation and clearance upon arrival in Aswan, Egypt.”
The administration stated its intention to successfully evacuate all Nigerians stuck in Sudan before the extended 72-hour ceasefire agreement expires.
“We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to friendly countries that have helped bring aid to Nigerians fleeing the Sudanese conflict in one way or another.”
“In particular, Nigeria expresses gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for graciously assisting in the evacuation of eight Nigerians from Sudan to safety on its territory, from which they would be airlifted back to Nigeria,” the statement said.
