Evacuated Nigerian students from the Sudan crisis are unlikely to arrive in Nigeria on Friday due to diplomatic and logistical challenges, according to reports.
The sources, who are not authorised to speak to the media, revealed that the Sudan crisis evacuees had been held up at the Sudanese side of the Arkin border and the Wadi Halfa border while awaiting clearance to cross over to the Egyptian side. Although the Wadi Halfa border was approved for the Nigerians, some of the drivers took another route which was 200 km away from the approved entry point. Consequently, a team has been dispatched to assist the drivers.
The sources said that there were thousands of people at the borders, thus leading to delays in getting the Nigerians into Egypt.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian embassy in Egypt is attempting to secure diplomatic cover for the students who are being profiled by the Egyptian authorities. According to a statement signed by Gabriel Odu of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), over 7,000 people, including Nigerians, fleeing Sudan have been denied access to Egypt since their arrival late on Thursday. The statement further noted that Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the head of NiDCOM, had called on concerned parties to create a humane environment to allow for unfettered access to the contiguous borders of Sudan for the passage and movement of persons and services.
The Egyptian authorities, however, are insisting that fellow Africans need visas to transit back to their countries, thereby prolonging the Nigerians’ stay in Sudan. The sources have been unable to give a definitive time for the resolution of the challenges and the possible return of the Nigerians to their home country.
The First Batch of Nigerian Sudan Crisis Returnees Was Expected on Friday
Nigerians fleeing the Sudan crisis for Egypt were scheduled to be airlifted on Friday (today). Thirteen buses carrying them arrived safely at the Aswan border crossing between Egypt and Sudan.
Due to the fact that the border was closed when the convoy arrived, they were scheduled to depart early today for the airport, from which they will be transported to Nigeria. The nonstop flight from Cairo to Lagos takes 6 hours.