Sudan: Ensure security of Nigerians, no life lost, group tells FG

Amidst the uncertainty in Khartoum, a pro-Nigeria anti-sabotage organisation, The Natives has called on the Federal Government to put in more efforts and ensure that no life of any Nigerian citizen is lost in the war-ravaged North Eastern Africa.

Hundreds of people have reportedly died since the conflict between the forces of the two opposing generals in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, began recently.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyeama, had in an interview, said the only option remaining for Nigerians to be evacuated out of Sudan was through land, as the airport in the capital, Khartoum, had been shut.

He added that the federal government was working with the Egyptian authorities to make this possible but didn’t say when the evacuation would commence.

The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has also confirmed plans to evacuate over 2,000 Nigerians in the crisis-hit country.

But making an appeal to the federal government of Nigeria, through a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, the Convener of The Natives, Honourable Smart Edwards, called on all politicians across the board and all Nigerians in high places to use their diplomatic contacts to ensure the safety of all Nigerians residing in Sudan, particularly in Khartoum.

While he acknowledged efforts by the federal government for the evacuation of helpless Nigerian citizens, Edwards maintained that the government should expedite action.

He said: “Save our helpless students and youths Please, and ensure no life is lost. We recognise efforts put in place so far but we demand that more are done and done urgently. We, the Natives, believe that the Nigerian government has the capacity to evacuate our brothers and sisters trapped in Sudan, and we are urging all the stakeholders to ensure that no life of a Nigerian is lost in the ongoing crisis,” Edwards said.

While calling on Nigerians to learn a lesson of peace in the ongoing Sudan experience, The Natives Supreme Leader said: “No sacrifice is too much to ensure peaceful coexistence in the country.

He added: “We, the Natives, have vehemently been in the forefront of the campaign against disunity, segregation, discrimination, fake news and sabotage that could lead to anarchy, animosity, tribal and religious sentiments among Nigerians.”

The statement also called on all African leaders, African Union, ECOWAS and other world leaders to intervene dispassionately and give no room to negligence in the ongoing crisis in Sudan and ensure the restoration of peace to the country.

“From the record, the first session in this centre was supposed to have 200 candidates but 183 we accredited, 16 absentee and 1 unverified. As you can see, the second batch is already waiting. In all, we have close to 99 per cent success in orderliness, arrangements, everything is per cent,” he said.

 

READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE 

• One year after, Alaafin’s first son tells story of late king’s last moments in hospital

• Overcrowding: Lagos passengers cram inside train’s toilets as fare jumps by 35%

• ‘My husband locked me up in the room, made me beg to eat’

• Man drags sex partner to court for sending him her nude photos

• SOS: That unsuccessful Adamawa prowl…

• 2023 UTME: JAMB asks candidates to print examination notification slips