Evacuation Of Nigerians Might End Xenophobia Attacks In SA – Chief Allen Onyema

Air Peace Airlines chairman, Chief Allen Onyema has said Nigerians leaving South Africa can end the xenophobic attacks in the country.

In a recent two-batch operation, Air Peace evacuated 503 Nigerians from Southern African nation.

Chief Allen disclosed that he cried when he witnessed the Nigerians being evacuated, showing love to themselves and displaying unity as they sang the National Anthem with passion.

His words, “I commend President Buhari for the mature manner he handled the issue in the face of aggravated provocation. He showed maturity and diplomatic finesse. Some people were expecting him to be tough and hard. I also thank him for allowing Air Peace to do what we did. If he said no, we would not have evacuated our people.

He made sure the Nigeria High Commission worked round the clock. The people who came back are also singing the praise of the president not just Air Peace. Nigeria has bonded more in the last 10 days than in many years. Countries are commending Nigeria. We have restored Nigeria’s dignity. It should be continued and sustained.”

“I thank God for using one to achieve what we just achieved. The evacuation we undertook has brought about the beginning of the end of xenophobia in South Africa. The evacuation hit South Africa below the belt. If not for the evacuation, which is a non-violence act, South Africans would have continued to attack Black Africans; Government of South Africa would have continued to look the other way while its citizens attack other Africans.

“Air Peace has helped in stopping xenophobia, which started with the tacit support of the South African Government because they were not arresting the attackers. They are now having a re-think because their economy has started getting a hit.

“I know that the evacuation will bring South Africans to their senses. What we did with the evacuation is called Direct Action in non-violence approach, it is legal and legitimate. Without it South Africa would not have begged Nigeria and other countries. They had no option because their stocks started going down, new tourists and investors have become wary of South Africa and people were asking questions. When one South African Minister said there was no evacuation, they told her that a Nigerian airline evacuated Nigerians and showed her videos.”