The Nigerian government has defended the negotiated sum of $1.2 million for buses hired to transport Nigerians from Khartoum, Sudan to Egypt for eventual evacuation to Nigeria.

The government, through the ministries of foreign and humanitarian affairs, stated that the outcry over the cost was unwarranted, and the amount was negotiated in a condition of war. The statement also explained that other countries were also trying to evacuate their citizens, leading to competing demands for the same bus services.

The statement signed by Amb. Janet Olisa and Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo of the foreign and humanitarian ministries, respectively, urged the public to ignore unverified information on social media, as some were either due to ignorance or mischief. The statement advised evacuees to be at designated locations with only one luggage and cooperate with embassy staff to ensure proper documentation and orderliness.

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The first batch of 13 buses transporting 637 evacuees had arrived at Aswan, Egypt, and were undergoing necessary documentation and clearance before admission into the Egyptian territory for their eventual evacuation to Nigeria. The movement of the second batch of 29 buses began on April 29, 2023.

The statement appreciated friendly countries who have assisted in bringing succor to Nigerians fleeing the war in Sudan, particularly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which graciously assisted in the evacuation of eight Nigerians from Sudan to safety in its territory.

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The Nigerian Air Force and Air Peace airline were on standby for the operations, and the first batch of Nigerian evacuees who had arrived at Aswan was expected to be airlifted to Nigeria in the coming hours.