Nigerians who live and work in South Africa have been granted an opportunity to book a plane free of charge and return to the West African country in the wake of violence that has hit South Africa.

On its Twitter handle the Nigerian foreign ministry said free flights have been offered to Nigeria traders wishing to go back home.

“The Proprietor of Air Peace Airlines Chief Allen Onyema, has volunteered to send an aircraft from Friday, 6th September 2019 to evacuate Nigerians who wish to return to Nigeria free of charge.” Reads a tweet from the ministry.

“The general public is hereby advised to inform their relatives in South Africa to take advantage of this laudable gesture. Interested Nigerians are therefore advised to liaise with the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria.“The statement added.

Nigeria’s Special Envoy to South Africa is expected to arrive Thursday in the Sub-Saharan country to get a brief on the current xenophobic attacks. He is expected to meet with President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Earlier, Zambia’s high commission in Pretoria cautioned its citizens in South Africa to take extra precautionary measures for their safety in the face of widespread attacks and looting targeting mainly the businesses of foreign nationals.

“Trouble spots or towns should be avoided as well as movement to other places except where it is absolutely necessary.” the mission’s Naomi Nyawali said in a statement.

She said a Zambian national in Germiston sustained life-threatening injuries on Monday after being stabbed in the forehead by a group of unknown people.

Source(s): Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs