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How FG Saved 2556 Stranded Nigerians From The Theatre Of War
It is indeed a welcome rescue for 2,556 stranded Nigerians from the theatre of war- far-away Sudan, where hostilities have so escalated that no foreign airlines are allowed entry again.
The successful airlift took a special arrangement of the Nigerian officials and those of Tarco Air, a Sudanese Airline.
The operation saw to the successful evacuation today, from Port Sudan, of 198 Nigerians, bringing to total, 2556 thus far evacuated that theatre of war.
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The aircraft touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja 12:09pm, to the great relief of the Nigerians, who were received by officials of the National Commission for Refugees, and the those of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
A breakdown of those rescued from the theatre of war, included 160 adults 38 minors.
The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Mustapha Ahmed promised sustenance of the evacuation efforts, especially given that about 40 more Nigerians were in Sudan.
“We all know the crisis in Sudan has escalated seriously, no Nigerian aircraft can go to Sudan. The Sudanese based airline we are using called TARCO, has been working with us assiduously and they had to engage the military authorities for us to be able to airlift these people.
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“The most important thing is that they are back home and we have not lost one Nigerian life, which is most important to us. 198 people, including women and children were brought back today and the remaining 40 people would be brought back as we are working round the clock to bring them back,” he said.
He also spoke about the financial support provided the evacuees by the Dangote Foundation, saying that each of them would receive N100, 000
Speaking along the same line, the Director of Migrant Affairs of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Mrs Catherine Udida, said it was their duty to ensure social support for those returning.
“You can see that they are looking better than those we had before because they have been taken care of so we intend to continue with that care to provide psychosocial support for them and ensure that whatever trauma they have been through we make it easier and I integrate them into the society using partner and government effort to provide support where necessary.”