Sudan: We are ready for immediate evacuation of stranded Nigerians free of charge – Onyema

Nigeria’s largest domestic airline, Air peace has declared its readiness to evacuate Nigerians stranded in Sudan free of charge. The Chairman of the largest domestic airline, Allen Onyema made this known.

ValidViewNetwork had earlier reported that some other countries such as US, France and UK had evacuated their citizens while other countries like Germany, Netherlands and Canada have also evecuated their citizens.

There are 5,500 Nigerians that are stranded in the crisis ridden Sudan and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama had assured Nigerians that the Federal Government was working round the clock to ensure the evacuation of the Nigerians in Sudan.

Clashes broke out in the North-Eastern African nation on April 15 as rival factions of the military government of Sudan battled for control of the capital city of Khartoum and the Darfur region.

However, in a statement on Monday, Onyema said the stranded Nigerians in Sudan need urgent assistance. He stated that Nigerians could be moved to a neighbouring country the airline would fly there and evacuate them, as Sudan’s airspace is closed from civil aviation flights.

In his words, : “I am compelled to help because Nigeria cannot afford to lose her citizens in that country. It would be my own commitment to making sure that the stranded Nigerians in the war-torn country are safe.”

“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 neighbouring countries bordering Sudan.

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“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.”