As the Federal Government finetunes strategies to achieve a pathway for the return of its nationals, a domestic carrier – Air Peace has volunteered to evacuate Nigerian stranded in war-torn Central African country Sudan.
The exercise, which will not attract any charge, according to the Chairman of the carrier, Allen Onyema is part of its patriotic contributions especially to Nigerian students and others stranded in the crisis – zone who : “Need our help”.
The Air Peace chairman said if the Nigerians could be moved to a neigbouring country, the airline would fly there and evacuate them, as Sudan’s airspace is closed from civil aviation flights.
Onyema said he is compelled to help because Nigeria cannot afford to lose her citizens in that country, adding that it would be his own commitment to make sure that the stranded Nigerians in the war-torn country are safe.
He said that everything must not be left for government alone, especially as the situation calls for urgency and immediate action.
“Again, Air Peace is willing to evacuate Nigerians stranded in Sudan free of charge if government can get them to a safe and secure airport in any of the neighbouring countries bordering Sudan. Everything must not be left for government and government alone. It will be a privilege and honour of tremendous pride that we will be out there to give every Nigerian stranded in Sudan a sense of pride and oneness in their country.
“We are very ready to do it immediately. No time wasting. Any action that would promote national pride, national cohesion, peace and unity, we are for it. Again, we have no apologies for believing in our nation and loving the nation despite certain national challenges. If they are moved to Kenya or Uganda or any other country, we will move in to get them out. Some parents have started calling on us to help. We are ready to do this again and again,” he said.
In 2019, Air Peace deployed flights to evacuate Nigerians in South Africa when xenophobic attack against Africans living in that country threatened the lives of Nigerians.
