Technical fault delays 4th evacuation flight bringing Nigerians home from South Africa
The fourth evacuation flight arranged to bring stranded Nigerians home from South Africa has been delayed after a technical fault was discovered on the aircraft scheduled for the operation.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, disclosed that the flight could not depart from Johannesburg after cracks were detected on the cockpit windscreen during routine safety checks.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Ebienfa apologised for the delay and assured affected passengers that alternative arrangements were being made.
“We have a situation in Johannesburg, South Africa regarding the operation of the fourth evacuation flight. The flight couldn’t take off up till now because they saw cracks on the windscreen in the cockpit,” he said.
“Air Peace will deploy another aircraft to South Africa later today to bring the returnees.”
The delayed flight was expected to evacuate 270 Nigerians from Johannesburg back to Nigeria.
The Federal Government has so far evacuated at least 859 Nigerians from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals, particularly other African nationals.
The latest wave of violence has sparked concern among African governments and prompted calls for the protection of foreign residents amid protests by some groups demanding the removal of foreigners from South Africa.
Nigerian authorities have continued to coordinate evacuation efforts to ensure the safe return of citizens who wish to leave the country following the attacks.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its commitment to the welfare and safety of Nigerians abroad and assured evacuees that every necessary step was being taken to complete the operation as soon as possible.
