The first batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following the recent surge in xenophobic attacks has safely arrived in Lagos.
A total of 268 returnees touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Thursday aboard an Air Peace flight organized by the Federal Government as part of its ongoing repatriation initiative.
The evacuation flight, initially scheduled for Monday, experienced delays due to documentation and processing requirements before eventually departing South Africa and arriving in Nigeria.
The repatriation exercise comes amid growing concerns over the safety and well-being of Nigerians residing in South Africa, where recurring incidents of xenophobic violence have forced many foreign nationals to seek assistance in returning to their home countries.
According to the Federal Government, more than 1,000 Nigerians have already indicated their willingness to return home, with additional evacuation flights expected in the coming days.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, previously disclosed that requests for repatriation continue to rise. She noted that the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria has been working closely with South African authorities to facilitate the safe return of affected citizens, including those facing immigration-related challenges.
To ensure a smooth evacuation process, the Nigerian Mission in South Africa commenced extensive screening and documentation of intending returnees. The exercise was later extended to accommodate the increasing number of applications.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding Nigerians abroad, describing the protection of citizens overseas as a key pillar of Nigeria’s foreign policy.
The arrival of the first group marks the beginning of a broader humanitarian effort aimed at assisting Nigerians affected by the unrest and ensuring their safe return and reintegration into society.
