This came as National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) announced the arrival of a fresh batch of 126 stranded Nigerians from Sudan, consisting: 41 minors, 11 children and 74 adults.
The NiDCOM boss said: “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 when all this is over, I can categorically beat my chest that no country has done what Nigeria has done for its citizens.”
Airlifted from Port Sudan, the return of the 126 was the sixth batch of evacuees to be brought home by the Federal Government.
In a statement, the agency said the persons arrived Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at 8:30 a.m.
“Sudan-based airline, Tarco Aviation, conveyed the returnees. They were received, on behalf of the Federal Government, by a team of senior officials, led by Director Special Duties, NEMA, Dr. Onimode Abdullahi-Bandele, who represented Director General, Mustapha Ahmed.
While addressing the returnees, Onimode said government was concerned about their fate in Sudan; hence, it approved immediate evacuation in safety and dignity.
NiDCOM disclosed that 1,730 persons have returned from Sudan, with the latest flight bringing 146 evacuees aboard Tarco Airline.
Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, yesterday, said the flight landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 10:05 a.m.
On its official Twitter handle, on Monday, NiDCOM said 129 Nigerians aboard Tarco Airline also landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 9:25 a.m.
“The 8th batch of evacuees: 129 nationals that departed Port Sudan International Airport, landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport around 9:25 a.m. local time on May 8, via Tarco Air, making a total of 1,600 evacuees, so far.”
Balogun also gave an update on the returnees, saying on May 3, 102 evacuees boarded NAF C130 while 274 boarded Air Peace from Aswan Airport.
