376 students evacuated from Sudan arrive in Nigeria

By Olanrewaju Kola

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - Nigeria on Thursday dispatched home the first batch of 376 students evacuated from conflict-ridden Sudan, the minister of humanitarian affairs said.

Sadiya Farouq announced donations of 125,000 Nigerian nairas (around $300) to each student as transport allowance to their homes in various states of the country, and an internet data bundle for their online study.

The Nigerian government on April 29 evacuated 1,500 students from Khartoum, Sudan's capital and the heartland of the violence, to the Egyptian border but immigration arrangements by the Egyptian authority stalled the immediate airlift of the stranded students.

Another batch of nationals are expected to be evacuated from Port Sudan, the government said.

The fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has exacerbated political violence in the country and tension about the safety of other nationals.

Since the start of the clashes on April 15, more than 550 people have been killed along with more than 5,000 injured others, according to the Sudanese Health Ministry.