Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman of NIDCOM, has expressed concern over the plight of Nigerian students in Sudan, saying that the escalation of hostilities between the Sudanese Army and the Paramilitary group -Rapid Support Forces (RSF)- is worrisome. She assured the students that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), which is in charge of emergency evacuations, is consulting with the Nigerian mission in Sudan and other relevant agencies.
In response to the situation, Dabiri-Erewa has urged all Nigerian students in Sudan and Nigerians living in Sudan to be security conscious and remain calm. She said that the commission is closely monitoring the situation and will do everything possible to ensure the safety and well-being of Nigerians in Sudan.
According to the NIDCOM Chairman, the commission has been in touch with the Nigerian mission in Sudan to get a clear picture of the situation on the ground. She said that the mission has reported that the situation in Sudan is volatile and unpredictable, with sporadic outbursts of violence in various parts of the country.
The Nigerian Ambassador to Sudan, Mr Musa Mamman, has also expressed concern over the safety of Nigerians in Sudan, particularly the students. He said that the embassy is doing everything possible to ensure their safety and has been working closely with the Sudanese authorities to ensure that Nigerian citizens are not harmed in the ongoing conflict.
In a recent statement, the embassy advised Nigerians in Sudan to avoid crowded areas and to stay away from places where demonstrations and protests are taking place. It also advised Nigerians to keep a low profile and avoid making any provocative statements or actions that could put them in harm's way.
The embassy has also set up a hotline for Nigerians in Sudan to call in case of any emergency. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and is staffed by embassy officials who can provide assistance and advice to Nigerians in need.
Meanwhile, NIDCOM has assured the students that it will do everything possible to ensure their safety and well-being. It has also urged them to remain calm and to cooperate with the embassy and other relevant agencies.
In a related development, the Nigerian community in Sudan has expressed concern over the safety of Nigerians in the country. The community has called on the Nigerian government to take urgent steps to evacuate Nigerians who are in danger.
In a statement issued by the Nigerian Community in Khartoum, the group said that the situation in Sudan is deteriorating rapidly and that Nigerians are at risk of being caught up in the violence. It urged the government to act quickly to ensure the safety of Nigerians in the country.
The community also called on the Sudanese authorities to protect Nigerians and other foreigners in the country, saying that they should not be made to suffer for the political and security situation in Sudan.