Gambia: FG on standby to evacuate Nigerians

 Abike Dabiri-Erewa

Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has said the government is on standby to evacuate its citizens in The Gambia if the need arises.

President Yahaya Jammeh is refusing to step down after losing the presidential election held last month. Jammeh had initially conceded defeat to Adama Barrow, but made a dramatic u-turn, leading to suggestions that crisis may erupt in the country.

Dabiri-Erewa said Nigeria was prepared to relocate its citizens if it came to that. She stated this while responding to a Twitter user’s question on Monday.

The user, Daud, with the ID @Darafat710asked: “@abikedabiri Pls what is the govt doing to evacuate Nigerians in Gambia? They will be the target if things get out of hands. God Bless.”

Dabiri-Erewa replied: “Hopefully not. Optimistic in the intervention of our heads of state. However, Nigeria on standby if evacuation needed.”