The second batch of Nigerians evacuated from Sudan has arrived in Abuja, the Nigerian Capital.
The evacuees; 128 females and 2 males departed Port Sudan International Airport and landed on Friday, May 5, 2023, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja at 3:15 pm via Tarco Airline B737-300 Aircraft.
READ ALSO: Nigerian government evacuates more citizens from Sudan
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Nasir Sani-Gwarzo said that the evacuation and arrival of the second batch has set the pace for a new plan for subsequent evacuation, making it a unique one.
Sani-Gwarzo also refuted claims by some media outlets that there were cases of abuse, he said all cases were psychological and have been attended to.
EVACUATION UPDATE:
The 2nd batch of Evacuees: 130 Nigerian nationals; 128 females and 2 males that departed Port Sudan International Airport landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja at 3:15 pm via Tarco Airline B737-300 Aircraft.@NigeriaGov @BBCAfrica @nannews_ng… pic.twitter.com/RJ8H4MjxwU
— Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (@nidcom_gov) May 5, 2023
“We are getting very good cooperation from the Nigerian community that are living in that port and also the Nigerian embassy in Sudan. The Ambassador himself is at that port and is giving all the backups we need. One challenge that we face today, which has thrown us into re-aligning our plans is the fact that some Nigerians were claimed to have entered the bus without permission, which cost the Egyptian side to delay the flight until that was sorted. I’m happy to say that just five minutes ago, we received a signal from Egypt that all that problem has been cleared. The Nigerians have now been moved into the Egyptian side of the border, and we have two planes that can carry all of them at the same time back to Nigeria.”
The Permanent Secretary further stated that priority Will be given to women, children and sick people amongst them.
“We made sure that this batch that arrived the plane contains 130. 128 is females and children, only two men in the plane. We are going to continue to prioritise the return of women, the females until every one of them is out of there.
“There are some people who had some illness, some had malaria and had to be taken to hospital, but I’m happy to announce that we’ve paid for their medical bills, and they’re doing very well, and back to the hostel where we’re keeping them before we finally bring them back to Nigeria.“
The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons said it is on the ground to offer psychosocial support to all returnees to ensure that they are mentally stable.
The Director, Migrants Affairs in the Commission, Catherine Udida noted that the Commission is following up on all returnees even after their reunion with families.
“Generally for all returnees, they must have gone through trauma, whether they were forced to return or they voluntarily return after living abroad. There’s usually this challenge. What do you expect when coming home? What kind of reception? So we try our best to make sure all returnees are taken care of and one thing that is central that we do before they arrive, when they arrived and after they arrived, is the psychosocial support. We have a psychosocial team in the
“Commission and we also work with the Minister of Health to provide psychosocial support to all of those who return in whichever circumstances they have come into. So this one is more traumatic because it’s a war situation. So, we are following up with phone calls and mental health tips, and we’ve had many calls from those who have come back. Lots of them have gone through trauma, but they’re doing very well.”
Sumayyah Yusuf, a Nineteen-year- old Medical student of the University of Sudan, Khartoum said although the experience is horrible, she would miss the people and culture of Sudan.
“I don’t think anyone else should actually live in such kind of place. I mean look at my body all full of mosquito bites even my face and all. At night was really hellish sleeping. I slept on a skeleton without any mattress
“I really love Sudan, i really love the people, i really love the culture, but because the country has always been volatile and even if the war stops, I’m sure something may happen again in the future, so, NO. I wouldn’t want to risk that.”
When asked if she would return if her safety is guaranteed, Sumayyah said yes.
“If my safety is guaranteed, yeah, definitely, it’s a good place to be. I’ll go back, yeah.”
Jamila Suleiman-Azara was at the airport to receive her brother, who was studying in Sudan until the war broke out, unfortunately, he was not in the batch that returned.
According to Suleiman-Azara, the family is in a kind of dilemma.
“Actually, we were elated, but when we arrived here they said maybe tomorrow, maybe today in the late night. So, we felt somehow.
“We were just given contact of someone, Hajiya Asma’u and she assured us that they’ll soon arrive maybe later in the night or tomorrow in the morning.“
Meanwhile, more evacuees are expected to arrive in Abuja.
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