Thousands of Nigerian Students Trapped In Sudan Crisis As FG Delays Evacuation

• The evacuation of thousands of Nigerian students trapped in the Sudan crisis has been delayed by the Nigerian government.

• According to reports, about 4000 Nigerian students have been stuck in the country.

• Over 300 people have been killed since the fighting erupted Saturday.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that about 4,000 Nigerian students are stranded in Sudan following the ongoing crisis there.

The president of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Sudan (NANSS), Abubakar Babangida, told journalists yesterday.

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This is just as the Nigerian government said it is still consulting on the next line of action regarding evacuation of Nigerians in Sudan.
The government said this in response to the request made by Nigerian students in Sudan.

It was gathered that explosions and gunfire resounded in Sudan’s capital Thursday as fighting between the forces of two rival generals showed no signs of abating ahead of festivities marking the end of Ramadan.

Over 300 people have been killed since the fighting erupted Saturday 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).

In a chat with one of our reporters last night, Babangida said there were more than 10,000 Nigerian students currently studying in Sudan.

He, however, said most of them were on holiday, adding that only about 4, 000 of them were left behind.
He said the students, mostly females, were stuck in Sudan at present.

“Statistically, we have more than 10,000 students studying in Sudan but now some are on holiday. Currently, about 3-4000 are stranded,” he stated.

The association had earlier written to the Nigerian government crying that its members were stranded in Sudan with no access to basic needs.
It also said its members had been facing dangerous threats.

“We hereby write, soliciting and yearning for the Nigerian government’s intercession to rescue and send for an immediate evacuation of the Nigerian students that are stuck in the centre of the ongoing war,” the letter written to the Nigerian government read in part.

‘Our lives in danger’
Some of the Nigerian students yesterday cried out that they were trapped in their respective homes and hostels following ongoing clashes in the country.

One of the students, Hussein Musa Yusuf, who spoke to journalists last night, said there had been scarcity of water, food, electricity and other basic amenities since Sunday, April 16.

He said they could not go out in search of basic needs because of ongoing shooting that have claimed civilian casualties.

Yusuf, an indigene of Kano State, added that there is a danger ahead if they are not quickly repatriated because they had no access to health centres and pharmacies.
“Many students are stranded in their hostels and houses without basic needs of life such as food, water and electricity.

“Presently, there is no access to hospitals and pharmacies. There is a risk if they go out because there is shooting and civilian casualties have been recorded,” he said.

When asked whether the Nigerian embassy in Sudan had contacted them for possible repatriation, Yusuf said they had not been contacted as of Thursday apart from the information given to them via a letter that was released on Wednesday.

The letter dated April 19 read, “Pursuant to undoing armed clashes between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Force (RSF), which commenced on 15th April 2023, the Embassy is passionately appealing to all Nigerian nationals to exercise caution and restrain with respect to the circumstances we found ourselves.

“Be that as it may, the Embassy is in touch with all relevant stakeholders in Khartoum and Abuja respectfully, for protection and well-being of Nigerians in Sudan.

“Similarly, the embassy is making plans for possible evacuation of Nigerians Nationals with approval of the Federal Government of Nigeria as soon as the situation allows it and you will be communicated in due course.

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“Consequently, the ambassador enjoined all Nigerian Nationals in Sudan to stay safe and be wary of fake news circulating the social media these trying times. As always, the Embassy will keep a close contact with the leadership of all the Nigerian unions for further consular assistance and updates.”

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