04/05/23
Nigerian evacuees who fled crisis-ridden Sudan have been airlifted from Aswan airport in Egypt.
Nigerian Air Force plane, NAF C130, aircraft departed Aswan, it is expected to touch down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja by 2340hrs (11.23pm).
The Egyptian authorities insisted that all the evacuees must leave at once.
A source told press that the evacuees were allowed into the Egyptian airport between last night and early hours of Wednesday.
The source added that About 25 extra passengers were added to the NAF C130 against its normal capacity of 80, in order to meet the condition, but there were still others that could not get seats hence the journey was initially postponed.
“NAF’s pilot had agreed to accept them on the condition that they leave without their luggage.
The Nigerian officials sought opinion of parents and family members who agreed and said seeing their children is the priority.
But few others insisted that they must leave with their luggage containing their credentials.”
Eventually, extra passengers were added to the NAF aircraft without their luggage.
Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) Abike Dabiri-Erewa posted a video of the returnees on her official Twitter account.
Dara Network TV 