314 Nigerians arrive from South Africa

The second batch of Nigerians who fled South Africa as a result of xenophobia are currently at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos state.

TheCable understands that a total of 314 Nigerians boarded the Air Peace flight from Johannesburg to Lagos.

Their arrival was delayed as a result of the initial refusal of South African authorities to grant landing permit to Air Peace.

Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Allen Onyeama, chairman of Air Peace, had said the action of South African authorities disrupted the plan of his airline which volunteered to convey stranded Nigerians back home free of charge.

“We did not take off by 1 am as scheduled because South African authorities are yet to give us landing permit. We are hopeful that they will give us the permit,” he had said.

“Our crew waited till 3:00 am but when the permit did not come, they went back to the hotel. Once we get the permit we will set off to South Africa. We don’t want to speculate but we are hopeful they will give the permit.”

Last week, 180 Nigerians returned to the country as a result of the violence in South Africa.