TheCable

Air Peace has offered free flights to Nigerians willing to return from South Africa over the xenophobic attacks in the country.

Ferdinand Nwonye, spokesman of the ministry of foreign affairs, announced this in a statement on Wednesday.

Many Nigerians were affected in the fresh xenophobic attacks that started few days ago in South Africa.

Nwonye said Air Peace volunteered to send an aircraft from Friday 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,” the statement read.

“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.”

The attacks had forced Nigeria to pull out of the ongoing World Economic Forum in South Africa.

The country also recalled Kabiru Bala, its high commissioner to South Africa.

In its initial response to the fresh attacks, the federal government had summoned Bobby Monroe, South Africa’s high commissioner to Nigeria.

President Muhammadu Buhari also dispatched a special envoy to convey to President Cyril Ramaphosa, his concerns on the attacks.

Nigeria has also demanded full compensation for its citizens involved in the latest attacks.