Nigeria repatriates citizens from Sudan amid expulsion ultimatum

The Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission announced that the Federal Government has successfully repatriated Nigerian citizens residing in Sudan who opted to return home, following the Sudanese government’s decision to expel all foreign nationals within a two-week deadline.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman of NiDCOM, disclosed this in Abuja on Friday.

Authorities in Sudan have issued a directive ordering all foreign nationals to vacate the capital city of Khartoum and its surrounding areas.

They gave the foreigners two weeks to do so, according to a statement from the section of the police dealing with foreigners.

The police said foreigners should leave for their own safety amid the fighting still raging between government troops and the Rapid Support Forces militia.

According to media reports, hostility towards foreigners, especially those from other African countries, has been on the rise following reports of foreign mercenaries in the RSF ranks.

A few days ago, more than 150 foreigners who did not have valid residence papers were detained.

A bloody power struggle has been raging in Sudan for more than a year between de facto ruler Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohammed Hamdan Daglo.

According to the UN, the conflict has caused almost 10 million people to flee their homes, and risks a famine in the country.

According to Dabiri-Erewa, the Federal Government the war in Sudan has escalated and no one was left behind.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that when it enquired further on the matter, she said “I suggest you enquire from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directly.”

Following the escalation of violence in Khartoum, staff from international aid agencies and diplomatic corps have transferred their operations to Port Sudan, a relatively peaceful location.

NAN