The 271 Nigerian nationals evacuated from South Africa by the Nigerian government have arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Friday, as authorities continue the ongoing voluntary repatriation exercise.
According to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the evacuees arrived aboard an Air Peace flight following a special charter operation approved and funded by the Nigerian government.
NiDCOM said the evacuation reflected the government’s commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerians living abroad.
The returnees were received by officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa as well as representatives of NiDCOM, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, and other relevant agencies.
NiDCOM also acknowledged the efforts of Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Temitope Ajayi, for coordinating the exercise.
It further commended Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, for providing N1 million in support for indigenes of Imo State among the returnees.
The agency also applauded MTN Nigeria for providing each returnee with free SIM packs, N50,000 worth of data, and N100,000 airtime credit to aid their reintegration after arrival.
The latest evacuation followed earlier government-assisted repatriation efforts, in which the Nigerian government, like Ghana, Uganda, and other African countries, has continued to repatriate their citizens in South Africa amid the escalating xenophobic protests and attacks.
According to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, nearly 600 Nigerians had already been evacuated from South Africa in three previous batches before Friday’s flight.
The special Air Peace charter departed O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 5:36 a.m. on Friday.
Government officials said the aircraft conveyed 268 returnees alongside two officials and members of the flight crew, while relevant ministries, departments and agencies were on the ground in Lagos to carry out documentation and profiling upon arrival.
Authorities said the evacuation exercise remains ongoing, stressing that the Nigerian government will continue to facilitate the safe return of Nigerians in South Africa who voluntarily registered for evacuation and were duly screened and cleared.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad, describing the welfare of citizens overseas as a key pillar of the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The protection of our citizens abroad remains our priority,” the minister said, adding, “the dignity of our citizens abroad matters, and we remain committed to upholding it.”
