The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has commended the Federal Government and Air Peace for the successful evacuation of Nigerians fleeing the latest wave of xenophobic violence in South Africa.

The association said the prompt rescue operation has undoubtedly saved many innocent lives and reflects the government’s responsibility to protect its citizens wherever they may be.

In a statement on Friday signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA, particularly applauded Air Peace for its patriotism and swift response in deploying a replacement aircraft after the original evacuation plane suffered a technical fault in Johannesburg.

“The airline’s commitment ensured that the operation proceeded without unnecessary delay despite the challenging circumstances,” it said.

It noted that while the evacuation is commendable, bringing Nigerians home cannot and must not be the end of the matter.

“The recurring attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa have become an intolerable pattern of violence, lawlessness and impunity that demands consequences beyond emergency evacuations.

“For far too long, hardworking Nigerians have built legitimate businesses, invested in properties, paid taxes and contributed to the South African economy, only to become targets of violent mobs who destroy their livelihoods, loot their investments and, in some cases, brutally take their lives. This cycle of violence has persisted for years with little accountability for the perpetrators and inadequate protection for victims,” HURIWA added.

It called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately initiate high-level diplomatic engagements with the South African Government to secure comprehensive compensation for every Nigerian whose business, home, investment or other legally acquired property was destroyed during the attacks.

“Families of Nigerians who lost their lives must equally receive justice and adequate compensation,” it added.

The association insisted that the Federal Government owes its citizens more than evacuation flights.

“It owes them justice, restitution and the assurance that their rights and dignity will be defended wherever they reside. Should the South African government fail to provide satisfactory compensation and credible guarantees against future attacks, Nigeria should immediately review its diplomatic relationship with South Africa. This should include the downgrading of diplomatic ties and the mobilisation of the African Union and other African governments to exert coordinated diplomatic pressure until justice is served.

“No nation that repeatedly fails to protect fellow Africans within its borders should expect business as usual from the rest of the continent. African solidarity cannot exist only in speeches while innocent Africans continue to suffer violent attacks without meaningful consequences,” the association noted.

According to NSIB, the preliminary report was based on evidence available at the early stage of the investigation, including flight crew and witness accounts, operational records, ATC records, aircraft examination reports, and data obtained from the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR).

NSIB disclosed that both recorders were retrieved and downloaded at its Transport Safety Laboratory in Abuja, while technical examinations and further analysis were still ongoing.

The report revealed that the Pilot-in-Command (PIC), who was the Pilot Flying (PF), was operating his first flight into Asaba Airport, while the Second-in-Command (SIC) served as the Pilot Monitoring (PM).

It stated that the RNAV Runway 11 procedure was available in the aircraft’s Flight Management System (FMS) navigation database and was programmed before departure from Lagos.

The report emphasised that an Observer Pilot noticed discrepancies during the FMS programming before take-off, although the flight crew said the issues were corrected before departure.

During the approach into Asaba, the aircraft established communication with Asaba Tower and was cleared to conduct the RNAV Approach Runway 11.

The crew later requested a right orbit during the initial approach, which was approved by Air Traffic Control.

The aircraft discontinued the approach, carried out a missed approach procedure and repositioned for another attempt.

NSIB stated that the aircraft was subsequently cleared to land on Runway 11 and the flight crew reported that the aircraft’s navigation indications showed it was established on the published RNAV approach.

The PIC and SIC told investigators that the Observer Pilot identified the paved surface ahead as the runway, although the pilot provided a different account of events during the second approach.

The bureau also disclosed that NAMA operational records showed that relevant agencies, including the Asaba Airport Manager, Airspace Manager, Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Service, Rescue Team, Aviation Security, airport company representatives, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Lagos Area Control Centre and Benin Area Control Centre were notified after the occurrence.

However, the PIC and SIC reportedly stated that no airport rescue or emergency response personnel physically reached the aircraft before it departed the roadway.

Following the safety issues identified, NSIB issued an immediate safety recommendation urging collaboration with NAMA and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to develop national procedures for managing aircraft involved in accidents and serious incidents outside designated runways, taxiways or manoeuvring areas.