The third batch of 131 stranded Nigerians has arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The Tarco airline plane B737-300 touched down at 1.45 pm on Saturday, May 6, 2023.
Already, no fewer than 506 have been evacuated since Nigeria started airlifting on Wednesday.
The first batch of 376 was airlifted on Wednesday by Airpeace and Nigerian Airforce plane, C 130 while the second batch of 130 with a 99% female was airlifted by a Sudanese aircraft, Taco on Friday.
The first batch was airlifted from Egypt while the second batch came in from Port Sudan. The 3rd batch is also from Port Sudan.
BREAKING NEWS
EVACUATION UPDATE:Another batch of Evacuees: 131 Nigerian nationals (Evacuees) 124 Adults, 7 Infants that departed Port Sudan International Airport landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja at 1:45 pm via Tarco Airline B737-300 Aircraft today Saturday,… pic.twitter.com/N0gz4HZ0sQ
— Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (@nidcom_gov) May 6, 2023
Speaking shortly after welcoming the evacuees, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, expressed joy that the process has commenced.
Dabiri-Erewa also assured no Nigerian would be left behind.
She said, ” It is not over, until it is over. Another batch is coming tomorrow. Thank God the tension is less now, and one thing is certain, no one would be left behind.
“Unfortunately, some people put a tribal colouration. to all these issues. You can see, the mission wanted them to be orderly, and priority was given to women and children. If a man jumps through the window and comes to out to say oh because I am from this ethnic group, I think that is most uncharitable. But nobody will be left behind.”
She re-emphasised that the directive from the Ministry of Foreign Affiars is that priority be given to women in the ongoing exercise.
On the situation with Wadi Halfa camp, she said: “There were situations. You see, Egypt is very strict with their laws. If you have more than one person, they would not carry everybody.
“There were situation where the figures did not tally. They said there were two people they are looking for.
“So, it is a war situation and it is a bit complicated. I just want to appeal to our people there to just be patient, follow the rules, you will be home.
“Cairo is strict, so just follow the rules as they have given us. The most important thing is to come back and everybody will come back.”
