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Another group of 268 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has arrived safely at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, as the Federal Government continues efforts to assist citizens affected by the recent wave of anti-immigrant protests and xenophobic tensions in the country. The returnees were flown in from Johannesburg aboard a chartered Air Peace flight, accompanied by two airline personnel.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the evacuation forms part of the government’s ongoing voluntary repatriation programme for Nigerians who chose to return home because of growing safety concerns. She assured the evacuees of the government’s commitment to their welfare and urged them to take advantage of available reintegration and support programmes. Before this latest flight, 328 Nigerians had already been repatriated in two earlier batches, bringing the total number of returnees to 596.
The evacuation comes amid widespread anti-immigration demonstrations across parts of South Africa, where foreign nationals have faced increasing hostility, prompting thousands of migrants from several African countries to seek repatriation. Nigerian authorities said more evacuation flights are expected in the coming days as efforts continue to bring home citizens who wish to leave South Africa voluntarily.
