The Federal Government (FG) on Wednesday completed the evacuation of Nigerians affected by recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa, with the arrival of the final repatriation flight carrying 308 returnees.
The aircraft touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 11:30 a.m. It also transported three government officials who had been involved in coordinating the evacuation exercise.
With the arrival of the final batch, the total number of Nigerians evacuated under the Federal Government’s emergency repatriation programme has exceeded 1,500.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the successful completion of the operation underscores President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the safety and welfare of Nigerians living abroad.
She noted that the President’s intervention ensured the safe return of citizens affected by the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, adding that the decision to extend the evacuation beyond the June 30 deadline earlier issued by anti-migrant groups demonstrated the administration’s resolve to protect Nigerians facing crisis situations overseas.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu welcomed the returnees on arrival and commended officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa, as well as other government agencies, for their efforts in coordinating the evacuation exercise.
She also encouraged the returnees to take advantage of government support programmes available to assist their reintegration into society.
The evacuation exercise was launched following renewed xenophobic attacks in parts of South Africa, which forced many Nigerians to seek assistance from the Federal Government to return home safely.
