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Air peace creates conditions for free evacuation of stranded Nigerians from Sudan
Air Peace, one of Nigeria's largest private airlines, has announced its readiness to evacuate stranded Nigerians who wish to leave crisis-hit Sudan.
Alan Onyima, the head of aviation in Lagos, on Sunday evening, while speaking to aviation journalists, lamented that students and others in war-torn Nigeria urgently "need our help".
As of April 15, 2023, heavy fighting continues in Sudan after tensions escalated between the Sudanese army and RSF militias. The unrest began over disagreements over an internationally-backed plan to install a new civilian government, four years after the ouster of dictator Omar al-Bashir and two years after a military coup. Both sides have accused each other of obstructing the transfer.
But Onyema warned that stranded Nigerians would only be evacuated if airlines could fly them to neighboring countries, with Sudan's airspace now closed to civilian aviation.
This is not the first time Airpeace has done this
In 2019, Air Peace operated flights to evacuate Nigerians from South Africa amid rampant xenophobia attacks in the country threatening many Nigerians.
Onyima explained that he was compelled to help because Nigeria could not afford to lose its people at home, saying it was his commitment to ensure the safety of stranded Nigerians in the war-torn country.
He emphasized that everything should not be left to the government alone, especially when the situation requires urgent action.
“Airpace is ready to evacuate Nigerians stranded in Sudan free of charge if the government can get them to safe and secure airports in neighboring countries bordering Sudan. In Sudan, there is a sense of pride and unity in their country and I am very proud of it.
"We are ready to do it soon. There is no time to waste