More Nigerians stranded in Egyptian border town after fleeing the crisis in Sudan are expected back to the country, Friday May 5, 2023 as Azman Air headed toward Egypt to continue evacuation of those caught up in the armed conflict between the Sudanese military and rival paramilitary group, Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The first set.of evacuees arrived Abuja, late Wednesday night, on board onbaord a Naval Airplane and Air Peace aircraft.
Blueprint reports that 94 evacuees were flown in by the Naval Plane, C130, while 282 others were evacuated by Air Peace.
Blueprint correspondent reports that the Azman aircraft with 400 seats capacity departed Abuja for Aswan at 3.45pm Nigerian time on Thursday, and is expected to arrive in Aswan at about 11.55pm.
The Airline, had in a tweet on Tuesday May 2, disclosed that it had received the approval of the federal government to airlift the stranded Nigerians.
This is as update by Azman Air, Thursday, noted that, “Having obtained the necessary Approval in Egypt; Azman Air Airbus A340-600 with Registration 5N-AAM is on its way to Egypt to commence the evacuation of stranded Nigerians amid Sudan crisis.
“This is a call to serve and we are delighted to be of great service to our country.”
It was also gathered that the Nigerian Ambassador to Egypt, Nura Abba Rimi, who had briefed the stranded travellers, noted more Nigerian students have been moved from Wadi Halfa to the Egyptian side of the border and they are to be evacuated by the Azman aircraft, alongside other students already processed.
He further assured that the rest of the students waiting at the two border crossings, Wadi Halfa and Arqeen, would be evacuated by Friday, barring any hitches.
The Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, revealed that Egypt had opened its border to the Nigerian students following intervention by President Muhammadu Buhari.
