The Federal Government has made a final appeal to Nigerians living in South Africa to take advantage of the ongoing evacuation programme, as authorities prepare for the last phase of the repatriation exercise following renewed anti-migrant tensions in the country.
The appeal comes after rights groups fixed an unofficial June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa, although evacuation efforts have continued beyond the date.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, urged Nigerians who are yet to register for evacuation to do so immediately, stressing that additional flights had been arranged to facilitate their safe return.
She disclosed that another evacuation aircraft would depart for Johannesburg on Tuesday, July 7, to airlift more Nigerians, while the final government-sponsored flight is scheduled to arrive in South Africa on July 10.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu encouraged those still undecided about returning to carefully assess the prevailing security situation, noting that material possessions could be recovered but lives could not.
“Our citizens are strongly advised to take advantage of this extension and utilise the full capacity of the aircraft. For many still sitting on the fence, they should note that properties and investments lost can be replaced, but not lives lost,” she said.
The Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the evacuation flight departing Nigeria on Tuesday is expected to return to Lagos on Wednesday morning with another batch of evacuees.
The latest operation will be the Federal Government’s fourth official evacuation flight, although five groups of Nigerians have so far been repatriated, including one privately sponsored by businessman and Chairman of ValueJet, Kunle Soname.
The renewed appeal follows reports of the deaths of two more Nigerians in South Africa, bringing the officially confirmed number of Nigerian fatalities linked to the recent wave of xenophobic violence to four.
The minister called on South African authorities to carry out a thorough investigation into the killings and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
She also reiterated the government’s advice that Nigerians who believe their safety is under threat should take advantage of the free evacuation programme, warning that there are no indications the security situation is improving.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and welfare of Nigerians abroad, assuring citizens that every necessary step would continue to be taken to protect them during the ongoing crisis.
