The first batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has arrived in Lagos following renewed xenophobic attacks targeting African migrants in the country.
A total of 268 returnees touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, on Thursday aboard an Air Peace aircraft chartered by the government to facilitate their return.
The evacuation flight, initially scheduled for earlier in the week, experienced delays due to documentation and clearance procedures before departing South Africa and arriving in Nigeria
Security agencies, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), FAAN officials are on ground for through documentation and profiling procedures of evacuated Nigerians.
Top government officials, including the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and the Commissioner for Migrants and Refugees, were on ground to receive them and assure them of support and reintegration assistance.
The repatriation exercise comes amid growing security concerns for Nigerians residing in South Africa, where recent incidents of anti-foreigner violence have heightened fears within migrant communities and prompted many to seek voluntary return to their home countries.
Federal authorities disclosed that over 1,000 Nigerians have so far indicated interest in returning home, with additional evacuation flights expected to follow as arrangements are finalised.
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, had earlier revealed that requests for evacuation were increasing daily as more Nigerians expressed concerns about their safety.
According to the minister, Nigerian diplomatic officials in Pretoria have been working closely with South African authorities to facilitate the smooth departure of affected citizens, including those facing immigration and residency challenges.
Government officials explained that special arrangements were made to enable Nigerians with unresolved immigration issues to leave the country through the evacuation programme rather than risk detention or other legal complications.
To streamline the process, the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa conducted extensive screening and documentation exercises for prospective returnees. The exercise, initially scheduled to last only a few days, was later extended due to the growing number of applications received.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the extension shows the government’s commitment to protecting the welfare of Nigerians abroad and ensuring that all eligible citizens seeking evacuation are given the opportunity to return safely.
More evacuation flights are expected in the coming days as authorities continue efforts to bring home citizens willing to leave South Africa amid the ongoing tensions
