The first batch of Nigerians returning from Sudan has arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.
The 376 returnees, who took off from Aswan, Egypt, after a tumultuous journey crossing the border, were on Wednesday airlifted by the Nigerian Air Force on the NAF C-130H aircraft and Air Peace at about 4 pm in the afternoon.
They landed at the Federal Capital Territory at 11:35 pm against the 11:23 pm scheduled for a touchdown at the Nnamdi Azikiwe airport.
Meanwhile, evacuees from Sudan yesterday received the sum of N100,000 each upon their return to the country.
Additional to this is N25,000 worth of recharge cards and 1.5 Gigabytes of data.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Farouq, disclosed these at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja yesterday morning.
Recall that the returnees arrived in the country around 11:35 pm on Wednesday while more are still expected in the country.
Farouq stated that the cash and other gifts given to the returnees were done to make them comfortable as they return to the country.
She said, “Today, we are very happy to receive them. They have gone through a very traumatic period but we give thanks to Almighty Allah that all of them are back safely. No life was lost which is the most important thing. All the efforts put in place were not in vain. I thank every member of the Committee that has put all efforts to ensure that these people are brought back safely and with dignity. We thank the transport companies for their support.
“There is N100,000 that would transport them back to their families which is supported by the Dangote Foundation by giving them the transportation fare as well as the dignity kits and also 25,000 recharge cards from MTN and 1.5 GB data courtesy of MTN. All efforts have been put in place and everyone has contributed to ensuring that at least these Nigerians have some comfort when they return home.”
The Tide learnt that the returnees were handed the N100,000 cash and the dignity kits at the airport after putting down their information.
Giving the details on the returnees, she said a total of 376 persons arrived in the country from Eygpt.
Farouq said the Air Peace aircraft conveyed 282 persons while that of the Nigeria Air Force evacuated 94.
He said, “Today, we have received the first batch of the evacuees. The C130 aircraft of NAF brought about 94 of them while the Air Peace which I commend and appreciate the Chairman/CEO for the support and bringing back our nationals. They brought back about 282 Nigerians.
“They will be in the hall and they will go through a process of profiling and after which they will go through the immigration and they will be given their dignity packs for them to get back to their respective destinations. Some of them, their family members are here to receive them while others would be under our care until they get to their families”.
She, however, warned against the consequences of war, urging Nigerians to pray for peace in the country.
“War is not a good thing. People went to study and they became refugees all of a sudden. It is an international crisis and also a humanitarian crisis as people had no food, water, or where to go.
“Nigerians should pray for peace and also not experience this kind of situation”, he said.
