In a startling video posted online, it is revealed that the drivers of the buses used to transport thousands of stranded Nigerian students and other citizens from the conflict-ridden Sudan stopped them in the midst of the Sahara desert. They were protesting the Nigerian government’s reluctance to offset their wages.
Dr. Ahmad Small, a Twitter user, posted the video, which included some of the irate students screaming their anger after being trapped in the desert for more than four hours by the drivers with no sign of assistance.
“The Buses evacuating Nigerian students and non-student were stopped in the middle of the Sahara, and the drivers refused to continue the journey because they were not PAID. @abikedabiri @nemanigeria @FMHDSD @nidcom_gov @NigeriaMFA,” Dr Ahmad captioned the video.
The Buses evacuating Nigerian students and non-student
were stopped in the middle of the Sahara, and the drivers refused to continue the journey because they were not PAID. @abikedabiri @nemanigeria @FMHDSD @nidcom_gov @NigeriaMFAStudents crying out in this video pic.twitter.com/tbXSq1hUdY
— Dr. Ahmad Small (@dr_ahmadsmall) April 27, 2023
A female student is heard in the video complaining that the drivers insisted that they would not leave the desert unless they were paid.
She said, “Before we started this journey, we had to go on several fightings. Can you even imagine, we are stuck in this desert for five hours. We don’t even know the situation we are. Our money has finished.
“Can you even imagine? The vehicle drivers said they are not moving their buses if they don’t give them money.”
This comes a day after the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyeama said the Nigerian government would be spending $1.2 million to hire 40 luxurious buses to be used for the evacuation of Nigerians trapped in Sudan.
FG Responds
However, the Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa has responded to the complaint.
She replied to the viral video, noting that the Nigeria National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has resolved the situation and the buses are on the move.
I have just spoken to @nemanigeria dg. He confirmed the buses have continued their Journey and said whatever issues have been resolved.
I have just spoken to @nemanigeria dg. He confirmed the buses have continued their Journey and said whatever issues have been resolved https://t.co/mgSRHCUGy1
— Abike Dabiri-Erewa (@abikedabiri) April 27, 2023
