Source claims African visitors were being rounded up after only 25 showed for return flight

Another chartered flight connected to the controversial “Antigua Airways” landed here on Tuesday night, January 3, amidst rumours that it had brought over 200 Africans, while other sources said the aircraft had arrived empty.

Reports say the plane landed at the V.C. Bird International Airport at about 9:25 p.m., from  Portugal, allegedly to fly home some of the visiting Africans.

However, a source tells REAL News, only 25 persons showed up for the flight – although the manifest contains the names of 250 people.

It was alleged  that efforts were being made to round up the others for departure from Antigua at around 1 or 2 p.m.

Meanwhile, a source says that Immigration officers are claiming to know very little about these flights from Africa – other than the visitors were being given a month’s stay.

Reportedly, efforts have been made to fly the African visitors to other Caribbean islands, including St. Kitts and Dominica.  However, permission has not been received, the source says.

Another person tells our newsroom that she engaged some Africans at a local business and was told that they are here for jobs.

There have also been unconfirmed reports of the Africans – many of whom are from Cameroon – seeking work with a local security firm.

Other allegations are that some have sought extensions at the Immigration Department and been denied – but were allowed to leave — while the latest claim is that several of the visitors had attempted to register to vote in a particular constituency.