Several Nigerian students who were airlifted back to Nigeria from Egypt have recounted their harrowing ordeal, alleging sexual harassment and extreme hunger.
The students arrived at the International Airport in Abuja and spoke to journalists about their experiences. News About Nigeria gathered.
One female student said that they were so broke and desperate for food and water that they resorted to stealing items from shops.
She also revealed that they were sexually harassed during their ordeal, with no food or water to drink.
“We spent all the money we had. We were so hungry and thirsty. They were harassing us sexually. There was no food, no water to drink. It got to a point we picked things from shops and ran away,” she said.
Another female student who spoke to the BBC Hausa Service said that their legs were swollen due to the long hours spent in the buses.
A male student also spoke about the situation, saying that they had to pay money to be allowed to use the restroom. He expressed hope that the conflict would soon end so that he could return to Sudan and complete his studies.
The students had been stranded in Sudan due to the conflict in the region and had to travel by road to Egypt before being airlifted back to Nigeria.
They expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for their rescue and called on the government to provide better support for Nigerians studying abroad.
The Nigerian government has been working to evacuate stranded citizens from various parts of the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises.
The government has also been providing support for citizens affected by the conflict in Sudan.
