Air Peace completes South Africa evacuation, returns final 308 Nigerians

Air Peace has concluded the Federal Government's evacuation exercise from South Africa, successfully returning the final batch of 308 Nigerians. This marks the end of a humanitarian operation that repatriated a total of 1,393 citizens across five flights.

The final evacuation flight arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Wednesday. The returnees were received by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who conveyed President Bola Tinubu's assurance of support for their reintegration and welfare.

Dabiri-Erewa commended the collaboration between the government and Air Peace, praising the airline and its Chairman, Allen Onyema, for their role in the exercise. The successful completion is seen as a significant milestone in Nigeria's humanitarian response to the security situation in South Africa and underscores the value of public-private partnerships in protecting Nigerian citizens abroad.

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The successful completion of the exercise marks another significant milestone in Nigeria’s humanitarian response to the security situation in South Africa and underscores the value of strong public-private collaboration in safeguarding the welfare of Nigerian citizens abroad.

Air Peace utilized its Boeing 777-200 aircraft for the operation, completing five dedicated missions. The airline stated that each flight not only transported passengers but also restored hope and reaffirmed the nation's commitment to its citizens in times of need. This operation adds to Air Peace's record of over 20 humanitarian and evacuation missions across Africa and beyond, reflecting its commitment to national and continental service.

The evacuation was prompted by renewed xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant protests in parts of South Africa.

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Beyond transporting passengers, each evacuation flight carried families back to loved ones, restored hope to those displaced by uncertainty, and reaffirmed the enduring promise that Nigerians can rely on their nation in times of need.