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By Lizzy Chirkpi
Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema, has pledged to repatriate underage Nigerian girls recently discovered to have been trafficked to Ivory Coast, offering them free flights back to Nigeria and comprehensive medical care upon their return.
In a strongly worded statement released on the airline’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Onyema expressed his profound distress and condemnation regarding the trafficking incident. He called for a united front against this heinous crime, underscoring its deeply immoral and inhumane character.
Onyema stated unequivocally, “We should discourage trafficking of any kind. It is inhumane and callous. It is ungodly and a good example of man’s inhumanity to man.” He further announced Air Peace’s commitment to assist in the victims’ return, declaring, “We, in Air Peace, are ready to bring our fellow citizens back home free of charge.”
Going beyond transportation, Onyema also promised comprehensive medical attention for the rescued girls.
“Besides that, we will send all of them to Duchess International Hospital in Ikeja for free medical examination and treatment,” he affirmed.
To facilitate the repatriation process, Onyema urged the Nigerian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire to take immediate action. “While we implore the Nigerian Embassy in Cote D’Ivoire to assemble them and reach out to us, we equally call on the Federal Government to take charge of their education while reuniting them with their families,” he appealed.
This compassionate gesture from Air Peace echoes the airline’s previous interventions during times of crisis.
The statement recalled their significant roles in the evacuation of Nigerians during the xenophobic attacks in South Africa in 2018 and amidst the intense conflict in Sudan, highlighting their consistent commitment to the well-being of Nigerian citizens both at home and abroad.