24th April, 2023
The Chairman of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema, has expressed the willingness of the airline to help rescue students and other Nigerians stranded in Sudan.
He spoke against the background of difficulties being experienced by the Federal Government in rescuing Nigerian students caught up in the ongoing war in Sudan.
With the close of the Sudanese airspace, Onyeama argued that Nigerians could be moved to a neigbouring country for evacuation by the Federal Government.
He said Air Peace will be ready to fly to such airport to evacuate the Nigerians, according to Vanguard.
“I am compelled to help because Nigeria cannot afford to lose her citizens in that country. It would be my own commitment to make sure that the stranded Nigerians in the war-torn country are safe.
“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.”
Meanwhile, other countries have been evacuating their citizens from Sudan as a result of the ongoing war.
For instance, over 1,000 European Union, EU citizens including 21 diplomats have been evacuated from Sudan.