Scores of stranded Nigerians evacuated from Sudan

One hundred and seventy nine Nigerian migrants who were stranded in crisis-torn Sudan, have been evacuated by the UN agency, the  International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

According to a statement released by IOM’s Senior Communication Assistant, Elijah Elaigwu, the returnees arrived at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Tuesday. This operation, conducted from Port Sudan, marks the first organized repatriation of Nigerians from the conflict zone in 2026 and the fourth such exercise since 2025.

The evacuation was carried out under the European Union-backed Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) program. Many of the returnees had been trapped for months, facing severe food shortages, lack of healthcare, and increasing protection risks due to the ongoing hostilities. Refaat Mohamed, the IOM Chief of Mission in Port Sudan, emphasized that the mission was centered on restoring the dignity of those who had lived through prolonged periods of fear and uncertainty.

Prior to their departure, the IOM ensured the process was safe and dignified by providing medical screenings, psychosocial support, and necessary travel documentation. European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to protecting migrants in conflict zones, stating that the support is driven by the principle that no one should be left stranded without options during a crisis.

Upon their arrival in Nigeria, the returnees were received by IOM Nigeria in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS). Immediate assistance included health checks, temporary accommodation, and transportation to their various home communities. Sharon Dimanche, IOM Chief of Mission to Nigeria, noted that the next phase of the mission focuses on long-term reintegration to help the returnees rebuild their lives with hope and stability.

This complex operation was achieved through close coordination with the Nigerian Embassy in Sudan and Sudanese immigration authorities under the Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa (MPRR-SSA). Since the conflict in Sudan began, the IOM has intensified its emergency efforts, providing evacuation and protection services to more than 1,800 Nigerians, with the European Union continuing its role as the primary donor for these life-saving interventions