Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The first batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks has arrived in Lagos as the Federal Government begins a wider repatriation exercise for affected citizens.
A total of 268 returnees landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Thursday aboard an Air Peace flight arranged by the government.
The evacuation marks the start of efforts to bring home Nigerians who have expressed concerns over their safety amid reports of increasing xenophobic violence in South Africa.
The flight was initially scheduled to depart earlier in the week but was delayed due to documentation and processing challenges before eventually taking off on Wednesday.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, had disclosed that more than 1,000 Nigerians had indicated interest in returning home, with additional evacuation flights expected in the coming days.
According to the ministry, the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria worked with South African authorities to facilitate the departure of affected citizens, including those with unresolved immigration issues.
To manage the process, the Nigerian Mission in South Africa conducted screening and documentation for intending returnees, extending the exercise to accommodate the increasing number of applicants.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the repatriation effort reflected the government’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerians abroad.
“This underscores the priority accorded to the protection of Nigerian citizens overseas, which remains a central pillar of Nigeria’s foreign policy and a core responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” the ministry stated.
Officials said the latest arrivals represent the first phase of a broader operation aimed at assisting Nigerians seeking to leave South Africa and return home safely.
