*We’re surrounded by criminals, Nigerian students say 

* I’m saddened and concerned – Obi

The Federal Government yesterday explained why Nigerians stranded in crisis-ridden Sudan are yet to be evacuated, but assured that it is “working round the clock” to make that happen.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, spoke on Channels Television Sunday Politics programme.

“We have been working round the clock for the last two days to try and get the Nigerians out,” he said, adding that the country’s Embassy has been mandated to open a platform to register the nation’s citizens in Sudan.

“Because the airport as you pointed out in your report is out of commission, the only viable way out is by road. 

“But of course, it is not totally safe so you are going to require the government to provide some security and a safe corridor out.

“Essentially, where we are at the moment is trying to get authorisation from the Sudanese government to undertake this long convoy journey and for them to provide some security.”

When asked to be specific about when the evacuation will begin, he said “we are hoping that in the next day or two we would have got the approval from the Sudanese government to start moving people out.

“Until then, Federal Government agencies like the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) are working to provide relief to Nigerians stranded in the country.

“I advise them to stay where they are before the evacuation begins,” he said.

The large number of Nigerians in Sudan, which he puts at 5, 500, makes the situation very difficult. This is unlike the US which dispatched its Special Forces to successfully evacuate its citizens.

He explained that out of the number, 80 percent of them are students, adding that some countries have only evacuated their diplomatic staff and not all of their citizens as speculated online.

But he assured that “we are doing everything we can to get the requisite approval from the Sudanese government.

His comment comes amidst a wave of criticisms and backlash against the government many accuse of being nonchalant in the evacuation of its citizens from the North African country.

*We’re surrounded by criminals, the students say

Nigerian students stranded in Sudan has said he and others trapped in the crisis-ridden country are being surrounded by criminals.

About 4000 Nigerians are said to be trapped as a result of fighting between forces loyal to Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF)

Sudan is however, notorious for birthing most of the hardened terrorists, captured by Nigerian Armed Forces. It is reported that most of them study in universities in Sudan notorious for radicalised them, including Abdul Mutalab, the under pant Nigerian who almost detonated a bomb strapped in his pants in an American airliner.

Also, Sadiq Ogwuche, the notorious terrorists, was also said to have studied in Sudan where he was radicalised.

Reports from Sudan say hundreds have been killed since the fight broke out between the forces of the two rival generals in Khartoum, capital of Sudan.

Fauziyya Idris Safiyo, a Nigerian student who managed to flee Khartoum to the border town of Gallabat on Sudan-Ethiopian shores, said the situation is getting out of control.

“We could hear gunfire and bomb explosions from every direction. Jet fighters are firing shelling too. 

“There’s no food, water and medicine. We couldn’t travel to anywhere. We run out of money. And there’s surge of criminals all over,” she said.

According to her, many countries have started evacuation of their nationals however there’s nothing regarding evacuation of Nigerians in the East African country.

“It’s only Nigerians left stranded with many women among us. Some neighboring countries like Ethiopia do not allow Nigerians to enter their countries without a visa,” she added.

Speaking about the difficult situation they live in, Muhammad Nura Bello, President of Nigerian Students of Sudan International University, said there is total blackout and even the Sudaneses are also fleeing.

“Most of the students are very apprehensive as some had run out of their foodstuffs and you can see even the nationals are fleeing,” she said.

The Nigerian government has it is making efforts on evacuating Nigerians in Sudan.

*I’m saddened and concerned – Obi

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party,  Mr. Peter Obi, reacting, said he is saddened and concerned by the reports that Nigerians trapped in Sudan have not been evacuated. 

According to him, “while we appreciate the extreme challenges in Sudan, we deeply implore the Federal Government of Nigeria to expedite all efforts to rescue about 4000 Nigerians that are mostly students in Sudan to safety. 

“Moreover, as the Sudanese crisis in not a natural disaster that happened suddenly, it will be sad to lose any Nigerian to the conflict, especially now that we need all hands to create and sustain a New Nigeria. 

“Since it is the statutory responsibility of FGN to protect Nigerians at home in Nigeria and abroad, it is important that we attend to such issues with more deserving proactiveness and commitment as the life of every Nigerian is sacred and  important. A New Nigeria is really imperative and Possible,” he stressed.