The Nigerian government on Wednesday says Air Peace, a local airline has offered to evacuate its citizens from South Africa following continued xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other Africans.
This is coming shortly after Landwey Investment, a local real estate company, made a similar announcement.
Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press statement issued by Ferdinand Nwonye, its Spokesperson, disclosed that the evacuation would commence of Friday September 6, while the ministry urged Nigerians who wish to return to the country to take advantage of the opportunity.
According to Nwonye, in the statement with reference number No: MFA/PR/2019/42, relatives to Nigerians in South Africa are advised to inform their families ahead of time.
Describing the gesture of Allen Onyema, Proprietor of Air Peace, as laudable, he said interested Nigerians should meet with the Nigerian Embassy in Pretoria.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the general public that following the recent unfortunate xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals, including Nigerians in South Africa, the Proprietor of Air Peace Airlines Chief Allen Onyema, has volunteered to send an aircraft from Friday 6th September 2019 to evacuate Nigerians who wish to return to Nigeria free of charge.
“The general public is hereby advised to inform their relatives in South Africa to take advantage of this laudable gesture. Interested Nigerians are therefore advised to liaise with the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria and the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg for further necessary arrangement,” it reads.
Also, on Tuesday, Landwey Investment announced that it is offering Nigerians in South Africa a one-way ticket back to the country.
“In our stance against xenophobia, we extend a hand of love to helping Nigerians in South Africa willing to return home on a one-way ticket with our formerly allocated funds for the company vacation in South Africa,” it said on its social media accounts.
All those interested are urged to contact the company using the email address: communications@landweyinvestment.com.
The Nigerian Government following the attack sent a delegate to the South African government. The delegate is expected to arrive today.
Olugbenga heads the Investigations Desk at The ICIR. Do you have a scoop? Shoot him an email at oadanikin@icirnigeria.org. Twitter Handle: @OluAdanikin