The leading Nigerian, West and Central African largest airline, Air Peace has volunteered to airlift every Nigerian living in South Africa and willing to leave the country as xenophobic attacks on them and other foreigners in the southern African country escalate.
The move was a follow up to the Federal Government’s action at recalling Nigeria High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Kabiru Bala, for consultation over the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in that country on Wednesday after it issued a travel advisory and withdrew from the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa billed for Capetown, South Africa, from September 4-6 over the xenophobic attacks.
A letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Geoffrey Onyeama, signed by the airline’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Toyin Olajide, read in parts: “The xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa is an unfortunate event and we cannot fold our hands and watch our fellow Nigerians to be killed by South Africans.
“To this end, Air Peace is willing to support the Nigerian government’s efforts in this matter by deploring our B777 aircraft immediately to South Africa to evacuate Nigerians back home
“We humbly plead with the Federal Government to please inform Nigerian Embassy and the South African government to rescue stranded Nigerians by transporting them to the airport to allow Air Peace evacuate them to Nigeria”.
Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo was to represent Nigeria at the WEF.
Earlier, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Malawi pulled out of the event.
Presidents Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Felix Tshisekedi (DRC) and Peter Mutharika (Malawi) have all withdrawn from the event.
Sources said that Nigeria has also demanded for full compensation for the victims of the attacks.
