In continuation of evacuation of stranded Nigeria citizens from conflict in Sudan, the Federal Government through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) today airlifted a total of 126 Nigerians back home.
A chartered aircraft, operated by Tarco Aviation that conveyed the Nigerian returnees arrived from Port Sudan to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja at 4:56 pm and the evacuees were received at Pilgrims Wing of the Airport by a Federal Government team led by NEMA.
Addressing the returnees, Director General NEMA Mustapha Habib Ahmed welcome them and said the Federal Government was concerned about their plights in approving for their airlift back home in safety and dignity.
The DG NEMA who was represented by the Director Special Duties Dr Onimode Bandele Abdullahi said the Federal Government under the able leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR was committed to ensuring the safety of its citizens and improving quality of lives in the country. Therefore, he urged them to reciprocate the gesture by being law abiding and supporting the policies of the Government.
He informed them of arrangement made to support them to the various destinations including psycho-social services available for those that may require to assuage their unpleasant experiences from armed conflict location.
He said also highlighted the agencies and organizations that collaborated with NEMA towards the success of the evacuation including the the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), National Commission for Refugee (NCFRMI), Nigerian Immigration Service and Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) amongst others. Also, Aliko Dangote Foundation that provided dignity kits and a token of N100,000 to each of the returnees.
In his remarks, Ambassador Francis Enya who represented the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs also welcomed the returnees and assured commitment of the Ministry and Nigerian Embassies to support Nigeria citizens outside the country.
On arrival, the returnees were profiled, cleared by the Immigration, provided by food and given dignity kits and the token from Dangote. Also buses were provided that transported them from the airport to Kano, as most of them are from Kano, Jigawa and Borno States.
So far, a today of 2,660 Nigeria citizens have been evacuated from the crisis torn Sudan, including 126 that arrived today. Among Today’s returnees were 23 children.
24th June 2023
