Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) says the Federal Government has successfully evacuated 2,518 Nigerian citizens trapped in war-torn Sudan back home.
Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit of NIDCOM, announced this, on Sunday, in Abuja.
Giving an update on the evacuation, Balogun said “as of Sunday, 2,518 people were transported home in 15 flight operations.
The NewsZenith reports that the evacuation operation, which began on May 3, lasted ten days.
Four of the flights originated from Aswan Airport in Egypt and 11 others from Port Sudan.
The last flight touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Saturday, May 13.
The NewsZenith reports that from available data, the Federal Government engaged five airlines in the evacuation operations.
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They are NAF C-130, Air Peace, Tarco Aviation, Max Air and Azman Air.
The NAF C-130 carried 94 people, Air Peace ferried 274 and Maz Air transported 410 returnees.
Similarly, Azman Air and Tarco Aviation carried 322 and 1418 citizens respectively.
Meanwhile, in a statement jointly issued by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (FMHADMSD), the Federal Government commended and appreciated the efforts of all personnel deployed for the successful evacuation exercise.
“The Federal Government is happy to announce that no Nigerian life was lost in the course of the evacuation exercise.
“Special appreciation goes to the crew of the NAF C-130, officers and airmen of 063 NAF Hospital, personnel of the Nigerian Police Force and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp Response Unit and Ministry of Health’s Port Health Officers,” the statement read.
The government also thanked the Federal Airport Authority, Air Peace, Azman Airline, Max Air, Sudanese Tarco Aviation, Dangote Group of Companies MTN Nigeria and the Media among other partners and stakeholders.
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