Travellers to South Africa and other countries still troop the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja in spite of fears of reprisals over killing of Nigerians in South Africa.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that fear of reprisal attacks by angry Nigerians over attacks on their brothers in South Africa, has not disrupted any flight to that country.
However, some of the passengers who spoke to NAN on the development condemned the actions of the South Africans against Nigerians.
Some aviation experts in Abuja told NAN that the attacks on Nigerians in South Africa did not have a direct impact on the airlines’ operations or the aviation business.
Mr Oche Elias, an aviation expert, said though aviation business might not be affect by the attacks on Nigerians, he, however, condemned the South Africans’ actions describing them as having “low level of intolerance.’’
“Their tolerance level when it concerns fellow Africans is very low, especially the blacks among them, it is completely unwarranted and un-African.
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“We appreciate what the Federal Government is doing, but it is time to deepen efforts by taking into cognisance diplomacy and procedures.
“Nigerians must feel free anywhere in the world based on UN protocols.
“However, if we halt their infrastructure and investment in Nigeria, it will affect our brothers that work with them because it is a joint venture.
“We must keep saying the truth, keep crying out, let the world know that xenophobic attacks by South Africans is very inhuman and should not be happening in the 21st century,’’ Elias said.
An official of Ethiopian Airline, told NAN that flights to South Africa from Nigeria had been smooth and without any drop in traffic.
“The attack, I believe has a political undertone, however, it has nothing to do with the aviation business and our patronage.’’
An unnamed authoritative source from Ministry of Aviation said though the attacks might not have a direct impact on the aviation sector, he, however, advised Nigerians to follow Federal Government’s advice over the crisis.
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The Federal Government had earlier on Wednesday advised Nigerians against traveling to high risk and volatile areas of some countries until the current situation was brought under control.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave the advice in a statement issued in Abuja, through its spokesperson, Ferdinand Nwonye.
The advice followed tension created by the current attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, which led to many death and loss of properties.
Condemning the recent attacks in South Africa, the Ministry has assured Nigerians that the federal government was committed to protecting lives and properties of Nigerians living in South Africa
NAN reports that the attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa, gathered momentum on Sunday.
A protest march against drug-dealing by local residents in the centre of Johannesburg and blamed on immigrants degenerated, with shops attacked and looted.
The violence spread to the nearby city of Pretoria, where mobs attacked immigrant traders, workers and shopkeepers on Monday.
However, some notable Nigerians including President Muhammadu Buhari, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, had all condemned the violence.
Buhari on Sunday sent a special envoy to the country; while Ramaphosa said he was calling in ministers with responsibility for security. (NAN)
