The Gambia: Nigeria on standby to evacuate citizens

The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has disclosed that the Federal Government of Nigeria is on standby to evacuate its citizens in The Gambia if the need arises.

Tension is building up in The Gambia following the refusal of President Yahya Jammeh to step down after losing the presidential election.

Supporters of Adama Barrow, the winner of the election have vowed to swear him in on January 19 when Jammeh’s tenure will elapse.

The Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari is currently meeting with leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) over the situation in The Gambia.

Responding to a Twitter user’s question on Monday, Dabiri-Erewa said Nigeria was prepared to relocate its citizens should the need arise.

According to the twitter handle @Darafat710, he twitted thus,“@abikedabiri Please what is the government doing to evacuate Nigerians in Gambia? They will be target if things get out of hands,” Daud, who described himself as “an easy going guy, ” tweeted.

@abikedabiri replies, “Hopefully not. Optimistic in intervention of our heads of state. However, Nigeria on standby if evacuation needed.”

@abikedabiri Pls what is the govt doing to evacuate Nigerians in Gambia? They will be target if things get out of hands. God Bless

@abikedabiri

Hopefully not. Optimistic in intervention of our heads of state . However, Nigeria on standby if evacuation needed https://twitter.com/darafat710/status/818386517123039232 …

11:50 AM – 9 Jan 2017

Jamiu Isa