South East Coalition accusation of ethnic bias on boarding of citizens stranded in Sudan: a wicked lie

It has come to the attention of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission
(NIDCOM) of a fabricated lie from the pit of hell that the Chairman/
CEO, Hon. (Dr) Abike Dabiri- Erewa, prevented some Nigerians, especially
of the South East extraction from boarding buses hired by the Federal
Government to evacuate stranded Nigerians from the war-torn Khartoum in
Sudan.

The ridiculous allegation which was first published by one Chukwujekwu
Ilozue of the Daily Independent Newspapers on May 1, 2023, and
syndicated by This Day Newspapers, Nigerian Tribune online and other
online media, is the height of rascality and mischief.

The said group never bothered to cross check the sponsored false story
on Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa or get her own side of the story before
spreading the falsehood all over the media in the spirit of fairness,
balancing and objectivity.

The allegation by the faceless group, a Coalition of South East Youth
Leaders, (COSEYL),
signed by one Hon Goodluck Ibem against the indefatigable Abike Dabiri
-Erewa who was busy coordinating the two-day conference of Global
African Diaspora Symposium (GADS), with 64 countries in attendance in
Abuja, is most wicked, divisive and a ridiculous fabrication.

Reports from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff on ground in
Khartoum, indicated that when the boarding of buses began , the
situation was so chaotic that some people (including Non Nigerians)
jumped in violently , some with daggers, through the windows . To bring
sanity and to abide by the instruction of the Minister of Foreign
Affairs that priority should be given to women , children and students,
the officials started calling them in according to states in
alphabetical order , beginning with Abia State.

Reports from Sudan indicate that all who converged at the prescribed
locations, were to be picked up, have all been moved in 40 buses either
towards Port Sudan or towards Egyptian borders.

However , if some arrived after the stipulated time or did not show up
at the point of pick up, they can’t blame it on any one.

NIDCOM is focussed, working with other relevant agencies ,on the safe
return of stranded Nigerians and will not be distracted by nonsensical,
illogical , irresponsible , rascal and unfounded comments meant to
distract from the success , safe and secure return of Nigerians from
Khartoum, Sudan.