The Nigerian Ambassador to Egypt, Nura Rimi, has said that the first batch of stranded Nigerians has been moved from the Sudanese side to the Egyptian side of the border.
Rimi, who said this on Tuesday noted that Nigerians are now being prepared for their departure to Abuja through Aswan Airport.
The Egyptian authorities had not opened its border with Sudan for the students, six days after their arrival.
However, giving updates on the evacuees, Rimi said, “#TeamCairo has successfully moved our students from the Sudanese side to the Egyptian side of the Arqeel border.
“Priority was given to female students in the orderly movement of the 449 students across the border.
“The students are now being prepared for their departure to Abuja through Aswan Airport.
“With the arrival of Air Peace and the NAF Plane, the onward journey home begins soon after necessary documentation.”
Meanwhile, the second batch of stranded Nigerians evacuated from Khartoum, the capital of Sudan arrived in Port Sudan on Tuesday for possible airlifting to Nigeria.
Furthermore, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has denied an allegation against its Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa that she prevented some Nigerians, especially of the South East extraction from boarding buses hired by the Federal Government to evacuate stranded Nigerians from the war-torn Khartoum in Sudan.
In a statement signed by the NiDCOM Spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, on Tuesday described the allegation by a Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, signed by one Goodluck Ibem as ‘wicked, divisive and a ridiculous fabrication.’
Narrating what transpired, Balogun explained “Reports from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff on the ground in Khartoum, indicated that when the boarding of buses began, the situation was so chaotic that some people (including Non-Nigerians) jumped in violently, some with daggers, and through the windows.
“To bring sanity and to abide by the instruction of the Minister of Foreign Affairs that priority should be given to women, children and students, the officials started calling them in according to states in alphabetical order, beginning with Abia State.
“Reports from Sudan indicate that all who converged at the prescribed locations were to be picked up, and have all been moved in 40 buses either towards Port Sudan or towards Egyptian borders.
“However, if some arrived after the stipulated time or did not show up at the point of pick up, they cannot blame it on anyone.
“NIDCOM is focused, working with other relevant agencies on the safe return of stranded Nigerians and will not be distracted by nonsensical, illogical, irresponsible, rascal and unfounded comments meant to distract from the success, safe and secure return of Nigerians from Khartoum, Sudan.”
