LAGOS, Nigeria – Allen Onyema, the chairman and CEO of Air Peace, has offered to evacuate Nigerians stranded in war-torn Sudan free of charge.
In a statement on Monday, April 24, 2023, Onyema expressed concern for the plight of Nigerian students and others stranded in Sudan and their urgent need for help.
“Everything must not be left for the government and government alone,” Onyema said. “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.”
The conflict between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary group, Rapid Support Force (RSF), has claimed over 400 lives and injured about 3,500 people. The violence started on April 8 and displaced thousands of civilians who fled the capital, Khartoum.
Nigeria and other countries have initiated actions to evacuate their citizens to safety. Onyema suggested that Nigerians could be moved to a neighbouring country, and the airline would fly there to evacuate them, as Sudan’s airspace is closed from civil aviation flights.
“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,” Onyema said.
“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.”
This gesture by Air Peace has been widely applauded by Nigerians, who have taken to social media to commend the airline for its patriotism and commitment to the well-being of Nigerians.
“I think this is a great gesture and a true reflection of the Nigerian spirit of brotherhood,” said Chinedu, a Lagos resident. “Air Peace has once again shown that they are a company that cares about Nigerians and will go to great lengths to help.”
The Nigerian government has yet to respond to the offer by Air Peace, but many are calling on the government to take up the offer and ensure the safe return of Nigerians stranded in Sudan.
