Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has lauded Air Peace for offering to help evacuate Nigerian citizens stranded in Sudan, News About Nigeria reports.
The airline, which is owned by Chief Allen Onyeama, has said it will transport Nigerian citizens out of Sudan free of charge, provided the government can secure a safe airport in a neighbouring country.
Atiku praised the company’s gesture, which he said was commendable, and urged the federal government to provide the necessary support to help with the evacuation.
Atiku also commended Onyeama for his patriotism and selfless service to Nigeria, recalling how the airline helped evacuate Nigerians from South Africa during the xenophobic attacks in 2019.
He called on the Foreign Affairs Ministry, National Emergency Management Agency, and Nigerians in Diaspora Commission to be more proactive in safeguarding the welfare and security of Nigerian citizens abroad.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has assured Nigerians trapped in Sudan that it is making efforts to evacuate them and bring them back home.
They have encouraged citizens to remain calm and stay in touch with officials at the Nigerian Embassy in Sudan for updates and instructions.
While sympathizing with the Nigerians stranded in the country, the government ministries have advised them against undertaking dangerous journeys to return home.
The Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Humanitarian Affairs have expressed concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Sudan, particularly the crisis between the Sudanese Army and the Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
The ministries have stated that concrete plans are underway to deploy air transport to evacuate all stranded Nigerian citizens through identified safe transit areas back home to Nigeria safely and with dignity.
