Following the recent violence that has ignited a crisis between South African Nationals and Nigerians in the light of the current Xenophobic attacks, Air Peace has offered its services to rescue embattled Nigerians at no cost.
In a statement made available by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chairman and Chief Executive officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema was quoted to have said the airline will release its aircraft to bring Nigerians home.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the 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 statement read.
Onyema also advised all Nigerians still resident in South Africa to latch onto the goodwill of Air peace.
[READ MORE: Tony Elumelu reacts to the latest xenophobic attack in South Africa]
“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,” the statement read.
Why this matter: Several businesses owned and operated by Nigerians have been put at risk, as their outlets and business places have been subjected to attacks by South Africans in the xenophobic attacks. Many Nigerians have not just lost their lives, but had also lost their means of livelihood, which implies that they have been left with nothing.
This move will not just save lives, it will also help the Nigerians in South Africa come home to establish the businesses they are presently running in South Africa in Nigeria, for the betterment of the country (Nigeria).
Back Story: The current xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa were triggered by the death of a South African cab driver reportedly killed by a Tanzanian drug dealer. The incident happened about a week ago in the Pretoria area of South Africa, after which many foreign-owned business outlets and houses were looted and razed with fire.
[READ ALSO: More reactions trail South Africa’s xenophobia as Nigerians retaliate]
