320 More Nigerians To Return From South Africa Today

 

 

A delay in securing landing permit from South African aviation authorities for Air Peace has led to rescheduling the evacuation of the second batch of Nigerians from South Africa.

This is coming on the heels of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.

In the second batch, 320 Nigerians were billed to arrive the country yesterday through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

But the delay made the management of Air Peace to reschedule it till today.

Air Peace Chairman Allen Onyema stated this in a telephone interview with The Nation.

Onyema said following the late approval for landing rights, the Boeing 777-300 departed Lagos for Johannesburg last night to arrive with the 320 Nigerians by noon today.

The businessman said the airline was committed to the project by following due process and laid down procedures set by South African authorities.

He said: “Air Peace, less than an hour ago, just secured landing rights permit from South African aviation authorities. Our aircraft will now depart by midnight (last night) to evacuate Nigerians already cleared to return.

“The whole idea is to ensure the returnees arrive here during the day for enhanced logistics. Bringing them home in the middle of the night may not be very convenient. That is why we moved it to Wednesday (today).”

Scores of journalists, security agencies and others waiting at the airport had mobilised for the operations.