Final Evacuation Flight Brings 308 Nigerians Home from South Africa

The Federal Government has successfully concluded its emergency evacuation of Nigerians affected by the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, with the arrival of the final batch of 308 returnees in Lagos.

The aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Wednesday morning, marking the end of the government’s special repatriation programme for citizens who requested assistance to return home following the unrest.

The final flight also conveyed government officials who coordinated the evacuation exercise in South Africa.

With the arrival of the last batch, more than 1,500 Nigerians have now been safely evacuated under the Federal Government’s emergency repatriation programme, which was launched in response to renewed attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of South Africa.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, described the successful completion of the operation as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians wherever they reside.

She said President Bola Tinubu remained committed to the safety and welfare of Nigerian citizens abroad, noting that the decision to continue the evacuation exercise beyond the deadline issued by anti-migrant groups in South Africa reflected the government’s resolve to safeguard its people during periods of crisis.

The minister commended officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa, Air Peace and other government agencies whose collaboration ensured the smooth execution of the evacuation exercise.

She also encouraged the returnees to take advantage of available government support programmes to aid their reintegration and help them rebuild their lives after returning home.

The evacuation programme was initiated after renewed xenophobic attacks forced many Nigerians to flee their homes and businesses, prompting appeals for government intervention.

Many of the returnees arrived with little or no personal belongings, having abandoned their means of livelihood while escaping the violence. Several have appealed to the Federal Government to provide rehabilitation and reintegration support to enable them restart their lives in Nigeria.