Xenophobia: Second Batch of 320 Nigerians to Arrive Lagos Tuesday, Says Air Peace

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Monday, September 16th, 2019

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Management of Air Peace has confirmed that the flight conveying the second batch of 320 Nigerians from South Africa would arrive Lagos by 7.00 p.m. on Sept. 17.

Mr Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, made the confirmation in a statement issued on Monday in Lagos.

The airline in collaboration with the Federal Government had on Sept. 11 evacuated 187 Nigerians from South Africa.

The Nigerians had indicated interest to return home following ongoing xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in their host country.

Onyema said the Air Peace flight from OR Thambo International Airport would arrive at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos by 7:00 p.m.

He said that the flight would leave Nigeria after midnight on Tuesday and arrive South Africa in the morning but would depart South Africa mid day back to Lagos.

Onyema also disclosed that out of over 600 Nigerians willing to return home, 360 of them had been cleared for the evacuation.

However, he said the airline would airlift 320 in the second batch, which is the capacity of the aircraft, Boeing 777 that would be deployed for the flight.

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa had intensified diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue by sending special envoys to Nigeria and five other African countries.