‘It’s dangerous to move to borders’ — FG asks Nigerian students in Sudan to stay indoors

The federal government has asked Nigerian students in Sudan to disregard plans by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to evacuate them to Ethiopia. 

In a statement on Sunday, H.Y Garko, for Charge D’ Affairs, embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Khartoum, advised the students to stay calm, adding that plans were underway to evacuate them. 

Garko was reacting to a call by NANS in Sudan asking students to converge at three locations for possible evacuation to Ethiopia.

According to Garko, it is dangerous to cross the borders of Sudan without clearance. 

“The embassy of the Federal Republic Nigeria Khartoum, wishes to inform all students in Sudan that they should disregard the notice circulated by the NANS in Sudan, calling students to converge at the three locations namely: African international university, NANS office and El-Razi University, for evacuation or to bring $100 or $200 for evacuation, ” the statement reads. 

“As the embassy had earlier informed students, you are therefore requested to stay calm and remain indoors, while the embassy is working on final approval to commence evacuation.

“It is still dangerous to embark on a journey toward the borders of Sudan without securing clearance and guarantee from Sudanese authorities.

“The embassy wishes to reassure the Nigerian students that their safety and wellbeing is of priority concern.”

Earlier on Sunday, the NANS media committee had directed students to converge in Gadarif, before evacuation to neighbouring Ethiopia.

The students’ body said the departure time was 1 pm and the transport would cost $100.

Gadarif, also spelt Gedaref or Gedarif, is the capital of the state of Al Qadarif in Sudan. It lies on the road that connects Khartoum with Gallabat on the Ethiopian border, about 410 kilometres from the capital.

“This is to inform all Nigerian students to gather at any of these three locations to proceed with the evacuation to Gadarif, then to Ethiopia. 1. Ifriqiyyah University 2. NANSS office or 3. El-Razi University,” NANS said.

“Those who don’t have the funds should contact either their school or state president. Come along with your passport original and photocopy or school ID card.

“Those that don’t have their passport at hand should also contact their state or school president.”

Violent clashes between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, have killed over 400 people, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Thousands of civilians have fled Khartoum, Sudan’s capital, with foreign nations making efforts to evacuate their citizens.

Several Nigerians in the country have intensified calls to the government to rescue them.

Speaking on Saturday,  Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), said the tense situation in Sudan has made it “risky and impossible for any flights at this point in time”.

Dabiri-Erewa also said the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has put in place arrangements for the evacuation of students and others stranded in the country.