The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced to the general public to inform their relatives and loved ones that are in South Africa and wishes to return to Nigeria that Air Peace Airlines has volunteered to bring them back to Nigeria, free of charge.

The evacuation has been scheduled for Friday, September 6.

This was contained in a statement issued Wednesday evening by Ferdinand Nwonye, spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the general public that following the recent unfortunate xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals, including Nigerians in South Africa, the Proprietor of Air Peace Airlines, Chief Allen Onyema, has volunteered to send an aircraft from Friday 6th September 2019 to evacuate Nigerians who wish to return to Nigeria free of charge.

“The general public is hereby advised to inform their relatives in South Africa to take advantage of this laudable gesture. Interested Nigerians are therefore advised to liaise with the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria and the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg for further necessary arrangement.”

Reacting from South Africa, Sen. Babafemi Ojudu posted on his facebook page with a picture he took with a Nigerian. “I am in SA, I am not sure Nigerians here are in a hurry to leave. I am not also sure many see the need to leave. I visited a hospital here today and met many Nigerian doctor and health workers. They are busy carrying out their duties. I was in Mandela Square and was served at a restaurant by two Nigerians, they didn’t express any anxiety and neither did they feel under any pressure to flee SA.

“I met Deji Adeleke tonight. Deji is an entrepreneur. He has a huge investment in Moringa and produces eight products he sells across the world from Moringa plant he cultivates in Kwara, cargo to SA where he has his factory, for processing. Deji has been living here for 17 years and see this place as home. His office, he said located at the vicinity where there was fracas and see no reason to quit SA. Not even the shop owners whose shops were set on fire among other African foreign nationals are willing to leave. Many are married to South African women and have their life investments here.”

Commenting on the post, Dimeji Ibro wrote, “I’m sure the aircraft will return to Nigeria empty or only those who will use the opportunity for vacation in Nigeria. What will they be coming to do in Nigeria?”