– Stranded Nigerians began 1,200 kilometres road journey by buses from Khartoum to Aswan Egypt from where they will board Air Peace back to Nigeria
Allen Onyema, the Chairman and Chief Operations Officer (CEO) of Air Peace Nigeria says he has devoted three jets for the evacuation of stranded Nigerians in Sudan.
Already, Onyeama said he is deploying to Egypt Friday to be on ground with the jets towards ensuring that the evacuation is hitch-free.
He told Arise TV on Wednesday: “I will be deploying to Egypt on Friday to commence evacuation of Nigerians in Sudan. I have three jets on ground. Nobody is paying me for this.
“This is completely self-sponsored and free of charge. My willingness to evacuate Nigerians stranded in war-torn Sudan for free is not a publicity stunt but borne out of the love I have for Nigeria.
“It is a privilege to be allowed to contribute my quota.”
On Wednesday, Nigeria started evacuating the first of around 3,500 of its nationals, mostly students, from Sudan to neighbouring Egypt.
Around 40 buses have been hired to convey stranded Nigerians from the war-torn nation.
Onimode Bandele, NEMA Special Duties Director, had told AFP on Tuesday officials including embassy staff were at the collection centre to assist in the process.
“We are looking at over 5,000 Nigerians, but right now we are talking of 3,500, including students, that will be transported in buses to Aswan in Egypt,” he said.
He said the journey “will take some time because Khartoum to Aswan is about 1,200 kilometres (745 miles).
After arriving in Aswan evacuated Nigerians would be airlifted to the capital Abuja.