Air Peace Airline, Nigeria’s largest carrier, has announced its willingness to evacuate Nigerian citizens stranded in war-torn Sudan free of charge.
This comes as the country faces ongoing violent clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, which have claimed the lives of over 270 people. Thousands of civilians have fled the capital city of Khartoum, with foreign nations making efforts to evacuate their citizens.
In a statement released on Monday, Allen Onyema, the chairman of Air Peace, expressed his desire to help, stating that Nigeria cannot afford to lose its citizens in Sudan.
Onyema said that if Nigerians in the North-East African region could be moved to a neighboring country, Air Peace would fly there and evacuate them, as Sudan’s airspace is currently closed for civil aviation flights.
“Everything must not be left for the 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 the government can get them to a safe and secure airport in any of the neighboring countries bordering Sudan,” Onyema said.
He added, “It will be a privilege and honor 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.”
Geoffrey Onyeama, the minister of foreign affairs, had earlier stated that the federal government was working assiduously to ensure the safe evacuation of Nigerians in Sudan. According to him, there are approximately 5,500 Nigerians in Sudan, with over 80 percent of them being students.
The minister said the major goal was to obtain approval from the Sudanese government to undertake the long convoy and provide security.
Air Peace’s offer to evacuate Nigerians in Sudan is a much-needed lifeline for many who have been left stranded in the war-torn country. With the airline’s willingness to act immediately and at no cost, it offers hope to those who are desperate to return home.
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