The Nigerian Federal Government has stated that 160 women in Sudan, claiming to be Nigerians, are unable to return to the country due to the lack of passports.
Mustapha Ahmed, the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday.
He emphasized the agency’s caution in ensuring that only Nigerian citizens are evacuated.
Prior to the commencement of the evacuation operation, the Nigerian Diaspora Commission reported that there were approximately three million Nigerians in Sudan, including 5,000 students.
However, the NEMA boss revealed that the citizenship of many individuals claiming to be Nigerians could not be verified. Some claimed Nigerian ancestry spanning five generations, despite being born in Sudan, but this remains unverified.
Ahmed also shared an incident where desperate Sudanese individuals attempted to board the vehicles meant for transporting Nigerians to the Egypt border.
When questioned about the cost of the evacuation, Ahmed did not provide an exact figure but disclosed that Nigeria paid $22,662 as exit fees for moving the evacuees from Sudan, along with an additional $62,950 for entry visas into Egypt.
NEMA stated that any Nigerian with verified documents interested in returning to the country can take advantage of the available opportunities.
Among the 2,518 Nigerian returnees, there was a pregnant woman who reportedly gave birth while awaiting evacuation.
Her newborn, who was the only infant among the evacuees, is currently receiving treatment for jaundice at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada.
According to NEMA, no Nigerian lives were lost in the war in Sudan. However, a total of 23 sick evacuees were received, with 10 receiving immediate treatment upon arrival and 13 being referred to the 108 Nigerian Airforce Hospital in Abuja.