The first batch of stranded Nigerians numbering 376 have arrived Abuja from Sudan, a country which has been affected by crisis.
The evacuees who benefited through a government-assisted evacuation exercise arrived Abuja from Aswan in Egypt in aircraft owned by Air Peace and the Nigerian Airforce (NAF).
According to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Farouq, who addressed the press, Air Peace conveyed 282, NAF conveyed 96 evacuees.
It was also revealed that both aircrafts arrived minutes apart.
While making comments on the efforts made, Ms Farouq said the government of Nigeria is happy “that all of them are back safely, no lives lost which is the most important thing and all of the efforts put in place have not gone in vain.”
She stated that the evacuees will receive dignity packs and 100,000 naira transportation fare supported by the Dangote Foundation.
Another benefit from MTN is that they will be given N25,000 worth of call voucher and data bundle (1.5gb).
In response to the development, Sudan Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohamed Yousif who was present at the airport to receive the evacuees said he is sorry about the situation in Sudan but also happy to have the evacuees back in Nigeria safe.
So far, a total of 5,500 Nigerians are expected to benefit from the evacuation. They were moved by bus from Sudan to Egypt from where they are to be airlifted to Nigeria.
Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa said no Nigerian is left in Khartoum.
