Sudan crisis: 1,730 evacuees back to Nigeria on 9 flights- NiDCOM

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) said 1,730 Nigerians have returned from Sudan, with the latest flight from Port Sudan with 146 evacuees aboard Tarco Airline.

Mr AbdurRahman Balogun, Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, NiDCOM, on Tuesday, said the flight landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 10:05a.m.

Also, NiDCOM, on its official Twitter handle, on Monday said 129 nationals, also aboard Tarco Airline, landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 9:25a.m.

“The 8th batch of Evacuees: 129 Nationals that departed Port Sudan International Airport, landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport around 9:25a.m. local time on May 8 via Tarco Air. Making a total of 1,600 evacuees so far.”

Our correapondent also recalls the updates of the returnees.

“The breakdown so far:

“First and Second Batch

“Military Jet Cp0l-;-13 ~ 99 people

“AirPeace Fight ~ 277 (Total 376)

“3rd Batch – Tarco Air ~ 130

“4th Batch – Tarco Air ~ 131

“5th Batch – MaxAir ~ 410

“6th Batch – Tarco Air ~ 102

“7th Batch – Azman Air 322

“Making a total of 1,471 evacuees so far.

“We await the arrival of the Air Peace flight tomorrow to convey everyone remaining in Port Sudan.”

Meanwhile, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, NiDCOM said Air Peace now had a landing permit to convey all Nigerians from Sudan.

“Air Peace now has a landing permit and so a bigger plane would solve the problem. I took up the issue of favouritism with the Ambassador and he denied it vehemently.

“These are anxious moments. The key thing is all have been moved out of danger.

“Everyone will return and we shall all celebrate the full return. But for sure, when all this is over, I can categorically beat my chest that NO country has done what Nigeria has done for its citizens.”

Dabiri-Erewa also asked parents whose children had returned to send pictures of reunification.