Senate urges FG to evacuate Nigerians in South Sudan

Abuja – The Senate on Thursday called on the Federal Government to put in necessary measures to evacuate Nigerians in South Sudan, currently facing internal conflicts.

The decision followed a Point of Order by the Deputy Spokesman of the Senate, Sen. Ben Bruce, at plenary.

Bruce while raising the point of order said that reports reaching him indicated that Nigerians in Sudan were the only nationals still left in the country in spite of the increasing tension.


Ben Bruce

According to him, rather than being evacuated by the authorities, Nigerians in South Sudan are being subjected to question and answer sessions and subsequently dismissed.

“As we speak, in the Hallowed Chamber, the fate of Nigerians in South Sudan is unknown and there are no indications that they have been evacuated,’’ he said.

Bruce urged the Senate to summon the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, to explain why Nigerians were allegedly abandoned in the war turn country.

The lawmaker also urged the senate to mandate the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, to carry out holistic investigation into what transpired between Nigerians at the Nigerian Embassy in the country.

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said the relevant authorities would be communicated appropriately to ensure that the lives of Nigerians in South Sudan were not in danger.

“Ben Murray Bruce came to discuss this matter with me and I think that based on our rule there will be no debate.

“But we will get the message across to the relevant ministry to see that a thing like this doesn’t happen and action is taken to properly address the matter.’’

The Republic of South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011, following a referendum that passed with 98.83% of the vote.

The country, has however, suffered internal conflicts since its independence, with a resurgence of violence following its fifth anniversary as a country.