The management of Nigerian private Airline, Air Peace has volunteered to evacuate the family members of the airline’s staff who are currently trapped in Ukraine.
This is in view of the ongoing crisis between Ukraine and Russia. Recall that on 24th February 2022, Russia launched a large-scale military invasion of Ukraine, a southwestern neighbouring country, marking a steep escalation to a conflict that began in 2014.
While commiserating with the Ukrainians, Air Peace chairman, Alex Onyema told the airline staff that their immediate families trapped in the Russia-Ukraine war will be evacuated to Nigeria.
“You are all aware that your employer, Air Peace, has been directed by the Federal Government of Nigeria to evacuate Nigerians who have escaped from Ukraine to its neighbouring countries namely Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia. We have since last night commenced the evacuation flights.
“To this end, we are willing to evacuate your immediate family members by bringing them into Nigeria with our flights for safety, if you so wish. Once again, we pray that a solution to the war is found quickly”, he said.
Investors King had earlier reported that Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the release of $8.5 million to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to enable the swift evacuation of Nigerians caught up in the crisis.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, had disclosed that about 2,090 Nigerians will return to Nigeria from Ukraine after finding their way to Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. He had also disclosed that chattered flights will depart on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, to pick up Nigerian evacuees back home.
As at today, the first batch of the evacuees have arrived Abuja. About 416 evacuees, mostly students, landed at the private jet terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by 7:10 am (WAT) via a Max Air flight.
“First batch of Nigerians from #Ukraine arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja from Romania at 7:10 am”, Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri, confirmed via Twitter.
Investors King gathered that they are expected to undergo documentation and self-isolate in line with the COVID-19 protocols. There are also reports that they will be given some money to enable them to get to their respective destinations.