Nigeria caught in the middle of Sudan crises
Despite $1.2Million Budget, Nigerian Students, Others Stranded In Sahara Desert As Bus Drivers Evacuating Them From Sudan Refuse To Move Until They’re Paid
Why has Ethiopia decided to treat Nigerian students with so much animosity?
Whatever is the reason for the conflict in Sudan, it is obvious that Nigeria cannot be directly involved. That there is a reasonable number of Nigerian students in that country is an indication that Nigerias diplomatic relationship with Sudan on sound grounds. Therefore that Nigerians living or studying in that country is caught inbetween the warring factions is not funny.
However, more troubling is the news that has gone viral in which a youngman in a video seen telling viewers that the Ethiopian authorities refused fleeing Nigerians from the Sudan conflict safe passage. The young man said that the Nigerians where asked by the Ethiopians to go back and bring some sort of authority documents, before they would be allowed to pass through. This is while they have allowed nationalities to pass on. Though, this video has not been fully verified, yet is there is any iota of through in it, it then deserves further investigation not only by the Nigerian government but human right organisations. Because this will be tantamount to gross human rights denial.
Meanwhile it is also in the news space that a Nigerian billionaire, Allen Onyema, the owner of Air Peace, airline in Nigeria has volunteered hisplanes to go and evacuate these stranded Nigeria.
Now, up comes this current news that some of these Nigerians in dire situation in Sudan has run into another challenge. This is seen in a video posted on Thursday afternoon by Twitter user Dr Ahmad Small on his verified handle, in which the students are seen venting their frustrations after being held in the desert for over four hours by the drivers with no help in sight.
The buses sent to evacuate thousands of stranded Nigerian students and other nationals from warring Sudan were stopped in the middle of the Sahara desert by the drivers, who claimed that the Nigerian government and other relevant stakeholders had not paid them.
This is seen in a video posted on Thursday afternoon by Twitter user Dr Ahmad Small on his verified handle, in which the students are seen venting their frustrations after being held in the desert for over four hours by the drivers with no help in sight.
A female student is heard in the video complaining that the drivers insisted that they would not leave the desert unless they were paid.
She said, “Before we started this journey, we had to go on several fightings. Can you even imagine, we are stuck in this desert for five hours. We don’t even know the situation we are. Our money has finished.
“Can you even imagine? The vehicle drivers said they are not moving their buses if they don’t give them money.”
This comes a day after the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyeama said the Nigerian government would be spending $1.2 million to hire 40 luxurious buses to be used for the evacuation of Nigerians trapped in Sudan.
Onyeama disclosed this while speaking to State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday. Onyeama said the Nigerian government will evacuate citizens within days despite the 72-hour ceasefire agreement in Sudan.
