AIR PEACE’s inaugural evacuation of Nigerians living in South Africa may be delayed till Monday or Tuesday following information reaching Nigerianflightdeck that some Nigerians currently planning to leave South Africa, have expired travel document and may need to get travel certificates if they are to return.
Nigerianflightdeck found out from a well-placed source in government that the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa needs time to register the Nigerians billed to travel and that is currently happening in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
The source told our correspondent, “The Air Peace flight to South Africa will take off from Lagos and land in Johannesburg, South Africa and back. As earlier stated the take-off could be Monday on Tuesday. This is because the Nigerians in South Africa have to take travel certificate because many of them don’t have travel document and their passports have since expired.
“Air Peace who volunteered this incredible feat has readied its Boeing 777 aircraft for the flight since Tuesday but the Nigerian High Commission needed time to register the Nigerians billed to travel. They are already doing that in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema yesterday warned Nigerians not to fall prey to fraudsters who were demanding monies from Nigerians and are bent on sabotaging efforts to save Nigerians.
He said, “We are offering free trip to Nigerians in South Africa to return home after going through the traumatic experience of the attacks. Air Peace has said this is free and we are doing it in solidarity with the federal government.
“We have not designated or recruited any agent in South African to collect money on behalf of Air Peace. So nobody should pay money to anyone or group of persons posing as Air Peace agent or staff. Any Nigerian who has paid money for repatriation back to Nigeria with Air Peace should request for a refund and report to appropriate authorities.â€
He however expressed concern about the incident in South Africa alleging complicity on the part of South African authorities calling on Nigerians to take advantage of the offer and return home.
