Final repatriation flight brings back 308 Nigerians from South Africa

The Federal Government on Wednesday completed the evacuation of Nigerians affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa, as the last repatriation flight arrived in Lagos with 308 returnees.

The aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) at about 11:30 a.m. It also brought back three government officials who had been in South Africa to oversee and coordinate the evacuation process.

The arrival of the final group marks the end of the Federal Government’s emergency evacuation programme, which successfully returned more than 1,500 Nigerians from South Africa following the wave of xenophobic attacks.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the successful completion of the exercise reflected President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the safety and welfare of Nigerians living abroad.

She said the President’s intervention ensured the safe return of citizens who were affected by the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

According to the minister, Tinubu’s decision to extend the evacuation beyond the June 30 deadline earlier issued by anti-migrant groups in South Africa demonstrated his resolve to protect Nigerians facing crisis situations outside the country.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu welcomed the returnees and commended officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa and other government agencies for coordinating the evacuation.

She also urged the returnees to take advantage of available government support as they reintegrate into society.

The evacuation exercise was launched by the Federal Government following renewed xenophobic incidents in parts of South Africa that forced many Nigerians to seek assistance to return home.

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