The federal government has said that preparations are at an advanced stage for the evacuation of stranded Nigerians in war devastated Sudan through Egypt in the next two days.
This was as the government explained that no one taught the Sudanese crisis was going to degenerate to its present level as it was initially seen as a mere misunderstanding between the Sudanese President and the Vice President.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Godfrey Onyeama, who disclosed these when he appeared on Channels TV on Monday, said that talks with the Sudanese government to allow Nigerians a safe passage from the country were being concluded.
Onyeama said that the Nigerian government was yet to see any reason that could lead to Nigerians being targeted by any of the factions in Sudan, saying that the stranded Nigerians may be transported from Sudan by road into Egypt.
He specifically said that the Nigerian Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, was already making arrangements to receive them.
Onyeama explained that based on the difficulty being experienced as a result of the escalating war, airlifting the stranded Nigerians from Sudan had been ruled out because of the large contingent numbering about 5,500.
The minister explained that some other countries that have started airlifting their citizens, have far smaller number as low as 100, adding that no one saw the crisis degenerating to its present level.
In the words of Onyeama; “No country evacuated from Sudan before two days ago. There are crises in some African countries as well and that does not mean citizens should be immediately evacuated from them.
“Should Nigeria resort to airlifting a paltry 100 people from the large contingent, it would be seen as favouring some citizens over others.
“What was delaying the evacuation was the need to receive the assurance of the Sudanese government so as not to put the lives of the Nigerians at risk during their transportation from the country into Egypt.
“We need the assurance of the Sudanese government to take them out to the border of our choice. If they are attacked on the road without assurance from the Sudanese government, we would be blamed,” he said.
The minister ruled out any military operation in Sudan to get the stranded Nigerians out, adding that the Federal Government would cross that bridge when it gets there.
Onyeama assured Nigerians of their safety in any country they may be residing, stressing that the Federal Government has a robust plan of protecting its citizens in whatever country they choose to reside, stressing that the Nigerian government also engage with their host nations to see its citizens are protected.
