The federal government has assured that the remaining 1,700 Nigerian students caught in the ongoing armed conflict in Sudan would be evacuated in the next few days, just as third batch of returnees are expected back Saturday.
This is as one of those awaiting evacuation at Port Sudan has been successfully delivered of her baby, even as another who sustained hand Injury had been treated and discharged from hospital.
The first batch of 376 evacuees had arrived Nigeria on Wednesday night after spending seven days at the Arqeen border of Khartoum, Sudan.
The government made the assurance, Friday, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while receiving the second batch of returnees consisting of 128 females and two males who arrived on board a Tarco Airline flight B7B3/300.
Blueprint reports that the flight which departed Port Sudan International Airport arrived Abuja at 3:15 pm and was received by a multi-agency task team.
Speaking on behalf of the agencies, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, told journalists that all issues relating to delay of other flights had been resolved and cleared diplomatically.
“Third batch of the flight is expected in another 12 hours or less,, all things being equal,” he stated.
According to the Perm Sec, Max Air with capacity of 540 PAX; Azman Air with 400 PAX; and 130 were on ground to evacuate others, while Tarco promised to make two more trips, even as Air Peace was on standby.
While condirming that a womam had put to birth in Port Sudan, Sani-Gwarzo assured that both mother and child were doing fine and would be back soon.
He also disclosed that all the returnees would be profiled, catered for and provided with post trauma treatment and counselling.
The Perm Sec added that the Federal Ministry of Education was making arrangements forbthe students to continue their studies in Nigeria.
Blueprint reports that all returnees received N100,000 and a bag courtesy of Dangote Foundation while NIDCOM facilitated with MTN sim card with N5,000 credit and the Humamitarian Ministry provided food, just as NEMA provided vehicles and accommodation as well as logistics support with diplomatic cover from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Fefugees Commission promised to psycho social support for all the returnees.
