The Federal Government, through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyeama, has revealed its intention to expend $1.2 million on the procurement of 40 luxury buses for the purpose of evacuating stranded Nigerians in Sudan.
During a briefing with state house correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting, Onyeama announced this allocation. He emphasized that despite the 72-hour ceasefire agreement in Sudan, the government is committed to swiftly evacuating its citizens within the next few days.
He stressed that priority would be given to women and children during the evacuation process, and reiterated that there have been no reported Nigerian casualties thus far. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada, added that the initial group of Nigerians is currently being transported via buses through Egypt, with plans for subsequent airlifting. Dada also mentioned that some Nigerians who have already been relocated to Saudi Arabia are expected to be connected with departing aircrafts.
Earlier today, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) confirmed the arrival of several luxury buses in Sudan on Tuesday night, with more buses anticipated to arrive by Wednesday morning, facilitated by support from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Embassy in Sudan.